“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice. Don’t be anxious. Keep praying. Be thankful. Those are Paul’s admonitions to the church in Philippi. And God will give you peace that passes understanding. We don’t always get to understand why something happens or how it will work out. But amid difficulty and trial, if we continue to rejoice and pray and be thankful, God will give us peace – even if we don’t understand the circumstances.

This week has been fraught with chaos and grief, learning new information about yet another mass shooting in Texas fueled by hatred and fear. God grant comfort and peace to those who grieve this day. In our congregation we have those facing new and ongoing cancer treatments and heart attack, the celebration of new babies and the reality of tired, sleep-deprived parents. We see the movement of time, life and death, sickness and health, baptism and communion. And we rejoice in a God who loves and guides and provides through it all… because the Lord is near. It’s a short phrase which may be easily overlooked in the midst of Paul’s admonitions… Because the Lord is near, we can be free from anxiety. Because the Lord is near, we can bring our requests, with prayer and petition and thanksgiving to God. Because the Lord is near, we can experience God’s peace which transcends all understanding.

Whatever situation you face this day, rejoice that the Lord is near. Whether you are facing the most wonderful, joyous occasion of wedding anniversaries or new birth; or reeling with grief over senseless violence, tragedy and illness, the Lord is near. And God grants peace which passes understanding.

God, guide us and give us opportunity to make changes as a nation. Give us courage to speak truth to the lies of white supremacy and hatred. Give us openness to the joy and the pain of others and compassion to meet with them in whatever circumstance they face. Grant us your peace and confidence that you love us and you are near. Thank you for the gift of new life. Thank you for the blessing of medical treatments. May you heal those who are sick this day. May you give them your peace. Amen.

In Christ,
Rev. Hanna Peterson Shearer