Dearly Beloved,
Grace and peace to you, Van Meter friends and family!
I appreciate each season of the year, particularly as the natural world transitions from one season to the next. As Iowans, we are privileged to experience all four seasons. Something I'm noticing in this fall season is the pace of life feels like it is getting faster and faster. School is more than halfway through the first semester. Farmers are harvesting like crazy. Kids Care is busy all-day, Monday-Friday.
At church, we are planning and working toward Thanksgiving, Advent, Kids' Shopping Day, the children's Christmas play, the Christmas cantata, and the Christmas Eve Candlelight service. JAM, choir and cantata practice, confirmation, youth group, adult discussion group, exercise group, and prayer shawl group are all underway. We are planning three special worship services this month: All Saints Sunday, Consecration Sunday, and the first Sunday of Advent -- and that's just what's going on at church. Nearly everyone has a lot going on in their work and personal lives, too. In all this busyness, we may notice we feel more anxious and stressed, that we are less patient with other people and ourselves.
And yet, in the natural world growth is slowing down, plants, animals, and even the soil, are getting ready for colder weather, and a quiet season of rest. In my spirit, I sense God inviting me, and all of you, to slow down, too.
The apostle Paul's encouraging words in his letter to the Christians at Philippi offer wise advice to guide us in busy and anxious times. He wrote, "Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. Don't be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks." (Philippians 4:4-6)
Paul's antidote to our worry, anxiety, and constant busyness is to slow down, look for moments of joy, and be gentle with others (and yourself) because the Lord is near you and in you. When you start to feel anxious, take a few moments to breathe, then pray; share with God all that's going on. Ask God to help you and the people on your heart, as well as those you struggle with. Make sure to thank God for the joys, and the struggles. Thank God every day for someone and something. The result of pausing, praying, finding joy, and giving God our thanks and praise is, "Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Friends, in seasons that feel like you don't have enough hours in a day to get everything done, pay attention to the rhythms of nature: new life, growth, slowing down, and rest. When the world feels like it may distract and overwhelm us, Paul helps us focus on God's rhythm in our lives. He wrote, "From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9)
May our thoughts and lives become filled with all that is excellent, admirable, true, holy, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise, that we will be filled with thanks for God's peace, and radiate God's love every day.
In Christ's gracious love,
Pastor Cathy