Have you got it all figured out yet? This life?
This mystery of a life where one day both children and the husband of a family are snatched off a rock by a sneaker wave at the Oregon Coast leaving a grieving, lost wife and mother behind and on the same day a couple got married, and in another location, more children were welcomed into life? It’s a mystery. There are not enough answers to all the whys we might ask, however, we have confidence in the One who is there with us in the middle of it all.
Jesus was with those children and that husband/dad swept off that rock into eternity.
Jesus is with that grieving mom and widow.
Jesus was with that couple making their vows.
And Jesus was there welcoming those new lives.
Jesus is in the middle of the suffering and all the rejoicing.
The only real answer for the big questions of life is Jesus. And I don’t mean to sound simplistic.
He’s an answer because he came as the Way in this life. He is the answer for He alone is the Truth over and against every lie. Indeed, He IS Life. He is the answer, for before all the mishaps, tragedies and celebrations, He had offered Himself up for all people, to draw all people to the God who loves them, so, HE is in the middle of all suffering, all hurt, all loss, all unanswered questions, and all celebrations. Yes, Jesus is the One we can turn to.
This Sunday, we are welcoming our District Superintendent, the Rev. Erin Martin, to Westside to preach and share with us and for us to share with her, as we journey together into the unknown that awaits us. Transitions can feel more unnerving if unanticipated. And we are not only in the midst of this pastoral transition but the whole denomination is in transition.
For both, we are seeking to be very clear in communicating together. So talk. Talk more. And talk more about how the anticipation of transition is working on your own heart. What causes you the most fear? In what are you most confident? How is God working in your heart through this time? These are the questions we need to continue to process together so that throughout this season of saying goodbye, our hearts can be readied to step forward into welcoming whatever awaits us in the next season.
As Erin shares the call of Jesus upon us the church for unity, God’s best vision for now and the future, in the midst of divisive times, do come to worship so that this part of transition can be experienced by you.