December 9, 2020

Weekly Reflection – Maintain Balance in a Time of Disruption

I was reminded today of three things that help me maintain balance during times of disruption and crisis, times like today’s COVID-19 pandemic, times like December 7, 1945 (Pearl Harbor), times when we find it hard to agree with or even understand our neighbors.

First, God does not practice social distancing. Yes, we have found it necessary in recent months to maintain physical space between us and others, even those we care the most about. But our relationship with our creator is never hindered by such physical or emotional space unless it is a space we ignorantly establish ourselves. Thank God for continually unleashing His power through the eternal presence of His Holy Spirit.

Secondly, I am thankful that Jesus came to bring peace, peace to us individually, and peace in the world. Yes, we see the exact opposite of that peace all around us these days. But that disunity is not what Jesus came to give. We pray that God will allow his peace to settle upon us individually and as a family of believers. May we be instruments of His peace in the midst of a world that has so little and maintain balance.

And then we acknowledge that we are created for relationships that find their source in the unity of what we call the Trinity, a relationship of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I thank God for this loving model. May He help us to love one another and to seek ways even in a time of necessary social distancing to enhance the relationships we have been provided. May we use all the tools that have been given to us (even the Internet!) to build one another up as a loving, world-wide community.

So, God is here. Jesus came to bring peace. The Holy Spirit supports relationships.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -John 14:27

Let us seek to maintain our balance during the coming week!

Blessings,

Chaplain Allen
chaplain@nationsu.edu
chaplainscorner.org

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