March 31 Home Communicator – Bringing Shalom into a World of Chaos
I don’t know about you, but the word ‘chaos’ could be used to describe the events that have taken place in the last two weeks. Chaos – disorder, confusion, disarray, disorganization. I feel as though my days lack routine and rhythm. It is easy during this time for me to feel scattered and unfocused. It struck me how sadly ironic this is especially during the special time of Lent – a time to prepare for the two most important days for Christians. Rather than a time of chaos, this is a time that offers us an opportunity to come to terms with the human condition we may spend the rest of the year running from and it brings our need for a Savior to the forefront. It is a time to receive the overflowing of grace God offers.
So during this time of chaos and uncertainty, let’s draw the focus back to Lent and the reason for it. Let’s open our hearts and minds to encounter ‘shalom’ – to be reminded of the Shalom who lived into the chaos of our sinful lives. The Shalom who, because of God’s indescribable and unconditional love for us, was crucified, died, and buried. The Shalom who rose from the grave and whose resurrection and victory over death give us the promise of eternal life! How blessed we are that during these uncertain times, we can have shalom – peace – because we serve a good, good God.
In the song God is Good by Jonathan McReynolds (I would strongly encourage you to listen to it), he challenges us to let our struggles keep us near the cross and to let everything in our lives prove that God is good. Such a good reminder. Let’s not let Satan use the current situation (or any other time for that matter) to distract our focus during this Lenten season. Continue to focus on and seek Shalom. This is what God wants for us. We serve a great and good God who loves us bigger and deeper than we can imagine!
Please pray with me Paul’s words to the Ephesians:
“For this reason I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
forever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)
Grace and Peace,
Mary Broene, Interim Superintendent
