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Small Afflictions

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How do we look back at the chaos of the pandemic without the Church on Resurrection Day?

A narrative of God’s goodness in loneliness. 

 

As I reflect on the  Easter season this year, and resurrection day, I think about what last year looked like.  Here is what I wrote about 11 months ago:

 

What a year folks.  In 2 Corinthians 4:18 it says "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison"  --  Even though this year has had its afflictions, I feel also the intense presence of the holy spirit, guiding, and protecting us and giving us joy despite our circumstances.  I almost (almost...) feel a bit of nostalgia for this year.... in our most desperate moments maybe we can most clearly see the hand of God, and the heart of his people.  We begin to understand that the "things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

 

As I told some of you, I was wondering if the apocalypse had begun this last week when I woke up to the screams of my 7 year old deep into a stomach virus, and fire raining down outside our window.  Our power then goes out.  I go to my phone to text our tutors at my homeschool classical conversations group, and my phone has died.   By about 9:30, our power came on, my son's worst screams were over, and the sun came out a bit and I realized that once again I was in the midst of small afflictions.    We may have missed going to church on Easter and missed seeing you all, but it doesn't change the fact that Jesus is Alive!!!  He has risen!!!  And even if it were the apocalypse, he is still God and his purpose remains on course!  Everyday we grow closer to the full revelation of Jesus Christ!  What a story we have to tell.  I can barely contain myself.  

 

That was a year ago, and still we see our world drowning in more  isolation, and fear.

 

We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we have a story to tell.  I look around and see the brokenness, the anger, the frustration–  a lack of peace– these last two years have destroyed what little peace those outside of the presence of God have.  They are drowning.   I pray for anyone reading this, that God will renew your salvation.  May we feel the excitement and 

Commit to one another – hold hands as we lift high our Savior.  Jennie Allen writes in her book, Made for a purpose, that as she surrendered all to God and was willing to do anything God was going to ask of her, that it became infectious in her church.  Suddenly, it was more than just her that wanted to give it all for the sake of Christ.  She says, “LIfe was getting really fun because we were running with friends toward heaven, with abandon. “  

 

Are you ready to have fun?  Are you ready to commit to his mission and purpose?  Are you ready to share our Savior with the world?  Get ready for a great adventure!   Let’s join together in the adventure as we run towards heaven– tell your neighbors, tell your friends– life can be abundant as we trust in our Savior.  There is a fountain, who is Lord of Everything, and he wants us to participate and engage and see him move in the lives around us.  Ready to see miracles? Because God is on the move!

 

This means participate in the small afflictions– get to the nitty gritty– be involved in people’s lives, connect and be involved.  

I’m an introvert.  THis isn’t easy for me, but each time I take a step towards this, I am blown away by what God is doing– I get to see the miraculous movement of God, and I get to know this God better, and my faith and trust in the goodness of God is deepened.   

 

Author: Theresa Kluge

Picture: Chris Little