Do not despair.

2020 has been a year of great turmoil. The pandemic we have been battling has made us realize that life has been deceptively easy until now. This monster has awakened us to our frailty and reminded us how perilous life is. This wakeup call may have a silver lining whose timing couldn’t be better. 

The past four years in America have been some of the most combative and, frankly, embarrassing in our history. Political leaders on both sides of the aisle have displayed a vanity that has nearly extinguished all civility and wisdom; it has left the American public anxious and divided. The pilgrims brought to America a biblical tradition that should have prepared us to realize that turmoil need not mark the end.  Tumult often signals the beginning of something new. God has always called people to renewal in challenging times. 

Great struggles produce great clarity. As people of faith, we should know better than most that God can work in any event; that the trials and challenges of life can lead to rebirth.  This virus is a call to us to open our hearts and be reminded of who we are, children of God. It's a call to renew our relationship with the almighty. 

God has witnessed every challenge throughout human history and always stands ready to welcome us to his friendship. Psalm 94 says:  "Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer."  

Do not despair; God is waiting for us to turn to Him so He can renew us, so He can heal us.  The best is yet to come!