God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Psalm 46 (NRSV) I am taking today for some needed rest and time away from the internet. As I prepared for this time I was reminded of a sermon I heard back in February by the pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia called “Selah.” I had just been to a conference of pastors and many of the African American pastors talked about this particular sermon from the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley and the impact it was having in the black church. Alfred Street Baptist is a historic and prominent church whose history goes back 200 years and is the place the Obama family attended Easter services. Since this is a time to listen to black voices I thought it would be good to encourage you to take time to listen to this important message by a prominent African American pastor on the importance of a pause: https://www.alfredstreet.org/selah/ Prayer for Today This Collect is taken from the Book of Common Prayer. It is especially appropriate for Saturdays or another time of Sabbath rest. Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Spiritual Practice for Today Many of us have been forced into a selah time through the COVID19 crisis. Looking back over the past few months, spend some time reflecting on where you have paused and what it has had on your life. Write down where you have experienced selah and where you need to continue the work of caring for your self with the gift of God’s rest. Comments are closed.
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About this series
COVID19 created an unprecedented situation for all of us. These reflections, originally written for the people of Christ Episcopal Church, were meant to help people of faith learn how to navigate this time and find the threads of God's goodness in the midst of the pandemic. The series has ended but the Pandemic has not. I hope they continue to offer help and hope to all that read them. |