Dear Rose Park,
One of Simon’s favorite games to play is “I Spy.” We typically play the game while driving in the car to pass the time. Simon is always spying stop signs, red barns, and big trucks. On Monday morning, as we drove to Aunt Bear’s daycare (aka Cherrie VanderSlik’s house), I said to Simon, “I spy with my little eye a big red barn.” After a few scans on the horizon Simon said, “I see it daddy! That barn is really far away!” After Simon made the comment, my mind thought of another thing that I can spy that is much closer than we think.
I spy with my little eye hope. That’s right, hope. Even in this most confusing and difficult time, I still spy hope. Even after another round of government orders, I still spy hope. Even after another funeral, I still spy hope. Even as covid-19 cases spike and the death rate rises, I still spy hope. Even after more political and societal unrest, I still spy hope. This hope isn’t far away; it’s not on the distant horizon but instead it’s right here. It’s here because the Christ candle still burns. It’s here because the church bell still rings. It’s here because the Spirit of God is still moving. It’s here because the Word of God is still spoken and shared. It’s here because prayers are still heard and offered. Hope is still here.
The Gospel of John opens with perhaps the most hopeful verse in all of scripture: the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. The darkness did not overcome the light of Jesus then, it won’t overcome it now, and it will never overcome it in the future. The light of Jesus shines brightly reminding us of the hope that is in Christ regardless of our circumstances. Perhaps the most faithful act the Church can offer during these difficult times is to remind ourselves and the surrounding community that the darkness will never overcome the light.
I’d encourage you as we continue to journey through the wilderness of Covid-19, to speak the love of Christ, share the light of Christ, and spy the hope of Christ in all places and people. This is how the family of God should treat each other and this is how the family of God grows.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark