Be Still My Soul - Hope In the Midst of Congregational Loss

 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”     (Psalms 34:18)

 “’Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge’ Selah” (Psalms 46:10-11)

Over the last three months, we as a church family have faced an unusually challenging and traumatic season in which we have lost nine of our members to death.  While we certainly celebrate their homecoming resurrection in heaven, they will be sorely missed by us here on earth. 

As part of this, I am also fully aware of how these consecutive losses have taken an emotional toll on each of us both as individual church members and friends, and as a congregation as a whole.

Yet, even in the midst of these heartbreaking losses, I wanted to offer not only the two scriptures above (from Psalm 34 and Psalm 46) but also to offer the lyrics of a famous Christian hymn that I hope will provide to each (and all) of us an invitation to -- and source for -- courage and hope in this difficult season.

In 1899, hymnwriter Jean Sibelius read the lyrics of a poem by Katharina von Schlegel from a century earlier and was led to set them to a famous tune that ended up creating one of the most enduring Christian hymns – one that we still sing today:

“Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to thy God to order and provide;

in every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

to guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice, who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

and all is darkened in the veil of tears,

then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

from His own fullness all He takes away.

 

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”

[--Words by Katharina von Schlegel (1752), Tune “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius (1899), found in The United Methodist Hymnal #534]

May each of our souls “be still and know" that God is with us through all the losses we’ve experienced lately.  May we remember that the Lord is “close to the brokenhearted” (us!) and that – as the hymn says -- “in every change He faithful will remain!”  

Whatever loss, change or transition you are facing today, I invite you to join me in trusting that God is with you and with us all!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

What's YOUR "Wrap"?

In my March 19, 2023 sermon, I used the encounter with Jesus in the story of him raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:32-45) to talk about the various things that "wrap us up" and keep us from being who God wants us to be.  What you find below is the content of the "What's Your Wrap?" handout that I provided for in-person worshippers to complete that day.  

As you read this online, I invite you either to print this post out and then to circle (or separately to write down) the item(s) you feel are binding you up in your life... things that are keeping you from being the person that God wants you to be.  So, what is it that you are "wrapped up" by?

☹ Stress and Worry? ...About your job, family, marriage, children, finances, friendships, etc.

☹ Fear? ...Of failure, illness, success, loneliness, the unknown, the future, the present, the past

☹ Memories? ...Painful memories of tragedies, personal mistakes, or hurt caused by others

☹ Harmful, Unhealthy Attitudes? ...Such as anger, bitterness, apathy, unforgiveness, un-dealt-with grief, etc.

☹ Illness or sickness? ...Is it a chronic illness or medical issue that is preventing you from reaching your potential for God?

☹ Grief? ...Is grief over the loss of a loved one, friend, job, marriage, or even a pet hindering your walk with God? 

☹ Destructive, Unhealthy Behaviors? ...Bad habits and/or addictions to things like smoking, abusive drinking of alcohol, drugs, pornography / sexual addiction, gambling, overeating

☹ Selfishness? ...Which can include pride/arrogance (too high a view of ourselves = a refusal to allow God to keep us humble), low self-esteem (too low a view of ourselves = a refusal to see ourselves as God’s sees us, as His child), materialism (too attached to “things”) and  perfectionism (setting standards for ourselves or others too high)

☹ Smugness/comfortableness ? The mentality “it’s the way I’ve always done things” and “it’s just the way I am” can sometimes reveal that our own comfort is more important than the doing of God’s will and God’s way

☹ Prejudice and/or Jealousy? ...Towards people or persons who look, dress, act, or think differently than you.  If followed to their ultimate end, these can lead to hate and violence

☹ Other? _______________________________________________________________ 

After you've circled or written down the item(s) you feel have gotten you "all wrapped up," at some appropriate time, take them outside and burn the paper as a sign that you're committing them to God for Him to bring about healing and resurrection in your life.

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!