All Will Be Well: Three Comforts For Worried Americans
All Will Be Well
Three Comforts For Worried Americans
Just As Troubled
This election season I am choosing to be quiet, and will make no posts on candidates or who I think will win. Instead, I am spending time reading up on John Adams. My favourite Founding Father from my county’s Old Republic.
Upon moving to the Netherlands, where Adams once served as Ambassador, I learned of his biography by the late David McCullough. This masterpriece reads like D.B. Jackson’s Thieftaker Chronicles, and it shows a young America just as troubled as today.
Though Adam’s lifetime had no shots at former Presidents, there were still the shots of British guns and booming canon fire. And though there was no hardened Left and Right-wing spectrum, Americans still had divides like Loyalists and Patriots.
Indeed, our Old Republic was just as troubled as now, but even so, as McCoullough writes, Adams found a bit of hope. He believed, like Julian of Norwich, that all would be well, and he did so from three comforts I am finding in his story.
Comfort 1
The first comfort is things that did not happen to America, and especially the ills we feared or “what ifs” unfulfilled. There were sufferings possible that did not come to pass, from World War III to a sequel of our deadly Civil War. Even our individual lives were spared from several pains, and the greatest pain was death and leaving cherished ones behind. So much has not occurred, which is cause for showing gratitude. We can be hopeful from the things that did not happen in the past.
Comfort 2
The second comfort is what is happening in America, which is more than just the heavy cares that burden us at present. There are joys before our eyes that lift us from the sorrows, and blessings to be counted as we curse the current troubles. While divisions seem to thrive, there are broken walls between us, and we are still finding common ground in the things that really matter. So much is taking place, which is also cause for gratitude. We can be hopeful from what is happening or taking place right now.
Comfort 3
The final comfort is what could happen in America, which, like what is happening, is more than woeful cares. With the pains that we might face are a vast amount of joys. Good things that are possible and brighten up the future. Just as sufferings are guaranteed, so are joys within this life, and the generations after us will be blessed to know their beauty. Much good will take place, which is further cause for gratitude. We can be hopeful from the things that could happen in the future.
All Will Be Well
St. Paul once wrote that one should think upon what is wholesome. What is true, respected, right, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise. Such things have never been absent from the American story, which includes the false, uncouth, imperfect, sordid, and unlovely. We cannot deny the unwholesome which has its time and place. Yet, we must acknowledge where things are right and let them have their place.
What I like the most about McCollough’s account of Adams’ life, is that he shows a man who gives what is wholesome a proper focus and place. Through the sounds of angry guns and canon fire around him, he enjoyed a glass of Madeira and a conversation with friends. And though an ardent Patriot he still cared for the Loyalist, and found relief from great divides in familial bonds at home.
In this election season I pray that all Americans would be like Adams, and think upon what is wholesome as they worry for the future. May we rest in the comforts in our past and in our present, and may these comforts bring us hope that somehow all will be well.
The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams.
Good Things: A Prayer For Independence Day 2024
Good Things
A Prayer For Independence Day 2024
In response to the many wrongs or problems of my country, I have decided to follow St. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8. I have decided to think upon the good things of America. The true, lovely, right, pure, excellent, and admirable.
To be clear, Paul does not say to overlook the bad things, but shows that there is more to life than facing trials and troubles. There are rays of hope that call for joyful celebration, and remind one that no problem in this world will last forever.
As I see the problems plaguing America at present, I have hope for the future that they one day will expire. This hope is rooted in the blessings that I ponder. The good things of my homeland that make it worth celebrating.
Yes there is so much wrong, but there is so much that is right, and for this I am very grateful and, dare I say, very proud.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Here is my prayer for this year’s July 4th. Please feel free to share it with the proper acknowledgements.
O Sovereign Lord, under Whose eye nations rise and fall, I thank You for the nation that is celebrated today. Thank You for its past with many joys and imperfections, and thank You for its present even with its many troubles. Grant humility, courage, and constant wisdom to its leaders, and help its people to leave their fears and walk together united. And may all within this land not take their rights for granted. Good things wrought from selfless works by those who came before them. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams.
Ready (A Prayer for Leaders)
Ready
A prayer for leaders.
This week a parishioner where I serve will become the mayor of a nearby city, and sadly, due to an ongoing cold, I will miss their inauguration. Like all leaders taking new roles, they are grateful for this opportunity. Yet, new roles also have things that can leave one feeling ill equipped.
Though never being in politics or taking a chain of office, I know the worries that leaders can feel when it comes to preparation for a new charge. Therefore, as I rejoice with the parishioner, I think about their possible worries, and pray that they (and all other leaders) will know that they are ready and up to the tasks.
Almighty God, Who governs all things with perfect wisdom and love, give those who lead a humble heart of confidence and peace. Remind them that, though not perfect, they have everything they need, and help them to find the things they lack for the sake of those they serve. Let them know that they are more than ready for the charges they must keep, and bless them with wisdom and courage to the face every challenge and care. Amen.
The images featured in this post are by Scotty J. Williams.
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Victory! (A Prayer for Ascension)
Amen!
A prayer for the Ascension 2024.
Contrary to popular belief, Ascension is more than one day. In fact, it is a four day celebration for when Christ returned to heaven. It is also, as St. Paul writes, a celebration of His victory, for when He left the earth He took of host of enemies defeated.
Behind the risen Christ were a train of conquered captives, who faced the mockery of angels, saints, and all the company of heaven. From the devil to sin and death, each faced humiliation, and heard the shout of victory for son for God descended. And for those in Christ, we benefit from this great victory, and are given gifts to proclaim it that the world might know His love.
Here is my Ascension prayer for 2024. Feel free to share it and use it with the proper acknowledgements of its source.
O Lamb of God, Who sits upon the throne forever, we celebrate Your triumph and we shout with all the heavens. You have conquered every foe while shattering their power, and because of this we have no fear and face this life with courage. Help us who look above like the very first disciples, to be a means or witness that reveals Your gracious presence. May we show You truly live by keeping Your commandment to all love and serve all people as You did upon the earth. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.
The images featured in this post are by Scotty J. Williams.
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REALITY (March 2, 3, and 4)
Lent Is Reality
March 2, 3, and 4, 2024
Bible
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
Baldwin
And I know that self-delusion, in the service of no matter how small or lofty cause, is a price no writer can afford.
Blessing
As a pastor my greatest temptation is to preach a “nice Jesus”. A Christ who is like Superman and will save us from our crosses. The truth is, no matter how off putting it, that He has never promised to this. In fact, He has said that we must take up our crosses. This is the reality of life and faith, and the sooner we accept the easier following Christ will be. Though He will not take up our crosses, He will strengthen us to carry them. And what’s more is that He, Who never leaves nor forsakes will carry our crosses with us.
May we be blessed by the reality of life and faith this Lenten season.
Here is a classic Spiritual that talks about the reality of life and faith.
PROGRESS (March 1)
Lent Is Progress
March 1, 2024
Bible
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11
Baldwin
The people who have managed to get off this block have only got as far as a more respectable ghetto.
Blessing
One lament on the journey of faith is not being where we want to be. In fact, it sometimes brings a shame that stops us in our tracks. We know we, or at least think we know, we should be further and better. Nevertheless, if we look back we can see the marks of progress. Though not where we wish to be, we can be grateful we are not where and how we used to be. And it does not matter if we are inches or miles from former things. Progress is progress, and it is has to be acknowledged and celebrated.
May we be blessed with celebrating our progress this Lenten season.
Here is a classic Spiritual of gratitude for progress.
AFFIRMATION (February 29)
Lent Is Affirmation
February 29, 2024
Bible
“This is My Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”. Matthew 3:17
Baldwin
The world tends to trap and immobilize you in the role you play; and it is not always easy—in fact, it is always extremely hard.
Blessing
One thing that we give up during Lent is the labels that are put on us, and this includes the labels that we put on ourselves. What matters the most is how God our Maker defines us, and, though imperfect, He calls us beloved. And where can this precious label be found? Within the Holy Scriptures, which reveal who and what we are. This is why we look to them within this time of fasting. They are affirmations from the One Whose opinion of us is what matters the most.
May we be blessed with God’s affirmation this Lenten season.
Here is a joyful song of affirmation.
EXCHANGE (February 28)
Lent Is Exchange
February 28, 2024
Bible
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
Baldwin
No one is more dangerous than he who imagines himself pure in heart: for his purity, by definition, is unassailable.
Blessing
Like altars during Holy Week, Lent is a time of stripping away, and one thing we remove is what the Bible calls “self righteousness”. This righteousness is, as Baldwin writes, is the pure heart we think we have. It is illusions of our own goodness based on works we deem as upright. God desires that we abandon these illusions in exchange for a new heart; a goodness that is not stone cold and dead within our arrogance. He offers us a warm and living righteousness from the Saviour Who has died and is risen.
May we be blessed with new hearts in exchange for our old ones this Lenten season.
Here is an uplifting song about exchange.
CHANGE (February 27)
Lent Is Change
February 27, 2024
Bible
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:11
Baldwin
Any real change implies the breakup of the world as one has always known it, the loss of all that gave one an identity, the end of safety.
Blessing
While God says, “Come as you are”, He never says, “Stay as you are”. Our Maker invites us to be changed, and is working daily that we might be transformed. And into what? Well, St. Paul gives an answer (Romans 8:29). God is working to make us like His Son, Jesus. At times this change can be heavy and painful, but in the long run it is worth it. When God’s work is done we will be free from the sins that bind us. And we will find ourselves conformed to the blessed image of Jesus.
May we be blessed this Lenten season with the joys of change.
Here is a lovely prayer hymn about transformation.
IMPERFECT (February 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26)
Lent Is Imperfect
February 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 2024
Bible
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Baldwin
But what men imagine they are doing and what they are doing in fact are rarely the same thing.
Blessing
As a perfectionist I greatly loathe when things do not go as planned, which is what has happened with my daily thoughts for this year’s Lenten season. I imagined a smooth succession of well-crafted short reflections, but life broke that succession with a host of sudden things. There were familial obligations and meetings for the congregation I serve; all things that worked together and interrupted my plans. Nevertheless, in the words of St. Paul, these things have worked together for good. They have reminded that Lent is not, and never will be, a perfect season. We imagine it going one way, and then it goes another. Yet, as it takes a different course, it is always driven by a faithful God.
May we be blessed this Lenten season with peace for the imperfections.
If you are wrestling with interruptions to your fasting, here is a song to help you find a bit of peace.