Dear Church Family,
During my freshman year of college an older student encouraged my small group to keep a diary to help us remember what we did in college and what we learned inside, as well as outside, the classroom. Sadly I did not do that. I have done the diary thing twice in my life – during my two months in West Africa on a missions trip after my sophomore year and five years ago on my trip to Israel. Alas, I was less than faithful to write daily. It is my loss for not doing so. These postings serve that purpose to some extent as I muse after great truths of Scripture and how they apply during the virus crisis. If I were writing an actual diary, I think it would go something like this:
“Dear Diary, Today makes day number who knows what of this ongoing time of social distancing/isolation with businesses that are not considered essential closed down. Thankfully the church is considered essential. I get to have some sense of what has been routine in my calling as a pastor. I keep fairly normal hours even coming in on Saturday and Sunday. [In case you did not know, we record the worship service on Thursday, so our wonderful Sarah Fowler can get it edited for Sunday.]
I love to proclaim the Word of God. I strive to be faithful as always, but talking into an unblinking camera falls far short of being the ideal way to preach. At the same time, I am thrilled that today’s technology allows me to preach and lead in worship. I am trusting God to use my feeble efforts (and I fell so inadequate during this odd time) to build up His people and bring people to saving faith in Jesus. At the same time I am honored to be called to serve our great Savior in ministry. God has blessed this church with such servants as Elaine and Sarah. I have no idea what I would do without them. The elders and deacons are ever eager to help as best they can.
I think I am a content person. Material possessions have never meant much to me. I find myself getting envious of what I enjoyed so much less than two months ago. I can’t wait to see people face-to-face even if we are four cubits apart. We are not meant to live in isolation, especially as the body of Christ. Tuesday mornings have a big hole in them since the Men’s Bible Study has been suspended. Yesterday I wondered what would have been served for Wednesday night supper. No doubt it would have been tasty mountain cooking. You would have to be part of the choir to understand that joy we have during rehearsal. Most of all Sunday morning just are not the same. I cannot wait to praise God in gathered worship. I try to make phone calls to members, though I would prefer visits to be in person.
I do have the joy (and even fun) of opening up the Bible each day to dig in and study the great truths it contains. All in all I have it pretty good. Even cutting my grass almost every day it seems, makes for good exercise. Diary, we just might talk again soon.”
What would you write in your diary? Try it. You just might be surprised!
With great hope,
Pastor Gillikin