Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
My paternal grandmother became a widow with young boys of six and four. Like so many before and since, she struggled to be the only parent and to provide for her sons. She grew more independent needing less from her parents and others. In my lifetime, she was the one who seemed to care of the needs of everyone else from the shut-ins and widows at church to the nursing home residents for whom she cared so much. Living on our own at ninety years of age, she suffered a massive, debilitating stroke that left her paralyzed and unable to speak. Like many others, the family wondered why. While this side of eternity we will never know, perhaps it was to remind His servant that she depended upon Him for all that she needed.
The last few months have humbled us all. Pastors who thought that had “figured out” their calling as shepherds were brought low. Teachers who thought they knew how to reach every kind of student became students again as they learned how to use new technology in their instruction. Servants in churches and schools were reminded how dependent they are on God in their callings. This crisis has been a beacon call to return to trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.
However, trusting in God does not mean that servants in the Church will make all of the right decisions. We are still feeble sinners who fail in our callings each day. Trusting in the Lord does not mean that we will get things right all the time. Rather, it means that we are forgiven, covered over by the precious blood of Jesus. We do not rely upon ourselves and the best laid plans we devise, but pray that God guide and direct us in all our works. When we fail, we ask that He would have mercy upon us. Those in elected positions of leadership for our churches and schools also need to be reminded that God’s mercy is for their pastors and teachers, but also for them. May God lead us to trust in the Lord and lean solely on Him as we serve each day under His grace and mercy!
Prayer – Almighty and ever living God, You make us both to will and to do those things that are good and acceptable in Your sight. Let Your fatherly hand ever guide us and Your Holy Spirit ever be with us to direct us in the knowledge and obedience of Your Word that we may obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan