by Rev. Danielle Rogers
Looking out my window, I see the beauty of the Rocky Mountains brushed with freshly fallen snow and I am in awe of their majesty. For a small moment I feel a peace in the stillness of my soul as I surrender to the winter elements: the cold, the wind, and the ice formed on the tree branches. I take a breathe say a prayer of gratitude and recognize God's beauty and love during this storm of chaos and illness that surrounds us. Simply put, I say a prayer for the gift of life and all that comes with it.
2020 has dealt us insurmountable blows. We have seen millions of people infected with Covid-19 and hundreds of thousands die from the virus. Families have navigated work while overseeing their children's online school. Our elders and compromised community members have lived in isolation for months. The stress and anxiety is palpable, creating a whirlwind of emotions.
This virus hung over our nation while we watched cases of police brutality tried in our courts, children still being detained in cages at our borders and a growing distrust of our mainstream media. The chaos erupted causing massive emotional fatigue, continuing political division and many questioning God's presence in our lives.
Our physical spaces for spiritual growth were closed, leaving many bewildered and scared. Our entire way of being was broken and we as a church community worked diligently to create a connection to one another through our desire to serve a loving God. We sought moments of peace during constant moments of chaos.
John 16:33 states, “ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart. I have overcome the world.” I find solace in worshiping a God whom recognizes and lived in a world fraught with hardships, sickness, betrayal, and death. Jesus fully understands our humanity, our trials and teaches us to find peace within him, within our relationship with God. In every worry, God is there. God is present in our lives and in our world. We can lay our uneasiness on the promise Jesus has made and cemented in his death and resurrection.
In the days ahead I pray for your own moments of peace. I pray for the gift of stillness to reach every aspect of your life. Do not be afraid to lay down burdens on the shoulders of our God and allow yourself to find joy in the smallest of things.
As you navigate through much uncertainty, may the first verse of the hymn “Be Still my Soul” provide solace and peace.
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 ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best thy heav'nly friend
thro' thorny ways leads to joyful end.
—Rev. Danielle Rogers serves as Pilgrim’s Christian Education Director