Sermonette: January 4, 2021

Greetings dear friends in Christ.

Here we are, another year has come and gone. I truly hope the year 2020 was a good one for you and your families. No, I'm not joking about that. Yes, I know what this past year was like for many of you, but I still hope this year was a good one for yo. If you stop and think about it, there just may have been some very good times for you. There were so many among us that were affected by the COVID-19 virus. It's effect was felt through the community from our homes and our schools to our churches and our businesses. The numbers do indicate that the elderly, those with compromised respiratory systems and immune systems, those with asthma and COPD and the clinically obese are the most likely candidates. The good news is just as quickly as the virus statistics zoomed upward this fall, to over 10,000 active cases at one point, more importantly, that number fell to under 3,000 in less than a month's time. And this was before any vaccine was available to us. However, regardless of the who's, what's and why's, and so forth, I wish you a happy and healthy 2021.

Nearly every place I go, every group I visit with, the most common statement I hear is “I'm sure glad the year 2020 is about over. It was the worst year we've ever had. I can hardly wait until 2021”. Well, I hate to burst your bubble but when 2021 arrives, nobody will have waved a magic wand and made the world a better and safer place. The COVID-19 virus will still be here. There will still be political bickering from all directions. There will still be people who want to destroy Christianity, even destroy our nation. No, I don't see saying good-bye to this year and welcoming in the new one will make any significant changes. We will still have the bad along with the good.

No, I'm not trying to paint your blue sky gray here. I'm not trying to worry you or make your day a sad one. What I am so happy to tell you is that the good we have here and now and in our future far out shadows the bad. In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses a metaphor of his being a gate in which His sheep may enter and be safe. He said, “I came that they may life and have it abundantly.” Later on in John, we read about Jesus' good-bye message to His disciples before His ascension. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my Peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled nor afraid.” That was good advice back then and it still is today.

I particularly like to read from the Psalms. There are so many good verses there that you just can't help but feel good. The 95th Psalm tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord for He is a great God, King above all. How about this from the 100th Psalm, “For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forevermore and his faithfulness to all generations.” Another good one “Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great.” That gem comes from the 104th Psalm.

And, last but certainly not least, we take this from the apostle Paul's letter to the Romans. He tells the newly converted Christians there, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height m nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That particular bit of scripture is well known and I've heard it read at funerals and weddings as well. The important thing I want to leave with is that it is as true and meaningful today as it was when it was written close to 2000 years ago. Nothing, not viruses, not floods, not fires, not even death itself can come between God and us. That is how much He loves us. So bring on the new year. With God at our side, we can endure anything.

Blessings to you all.