We are here, in the midst of the pandemic. This is a moment of God moving across the face of the earth. This is the moment when we who have been practicing our faith for years, are called to step in, lean in, be salt and light.
Woe to us if we let this moment slip by. Woe to us if we make an idol of 'normal' life. A life that no longer exists. Don't worship that life. Erecting a false god of 'normal' is leading us down a dangerous path.
Pay attention, church. This is the moment when LOVE must prevail. We stare in the face of our own fear and discomfort. We find the cracks in our hearts. We come face to face with our sin and vulnerability, our broken natures. But if we keep seeking God, his light will shine through those cracks. He will be glorified. He will fill us and use us and give us everything we need to do the work at hand. We need not be afraid if we stay focused on him.
But we do have to keep watch. Jesus tells us he is coming like a thief in the night, or like a bridegroom in the middle of the night. He will sneak in when we least expect him and if we are busy constructing altars to idols, we will miss him. We will miss him. We must keep our lamps trimmed and stay awake. He is coming. He is here.
Pay attention, church. He is asking us to stay awake.
