Isaiah 26:4 says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."
How do we seek peace in the midst of sadness, struggle, devastation and loss? Whether it be a miscarriage, a stillborn birth or a horrific death of a child. Who and what do we turn to? We turn to our loved ones. We turn to our friends. We sometimes reach out to professionals - doctors, therapists. But often times there is no peace. We find no peace. We move on with the wonderful families we have, the children already in our lives and for some we are able to have more children. But is that peace found?
This scripture from Isaiah is a letter to the people in Judah. It is written in Hebrew. As we know, the Hebrew word for peace is SHALOM. It's said twice in this passage: a peaceful peace or a complete peace. The passage says to be steadfast in our minds - to focus on God through attending church, being a part of a bible study and praying daily. Through this steadfastness and over years of relationship with God, we pray that we will have this perfect peace. It doesn't come by just meeting God on a first date and suddenly we have "perfect peace", no it's a relationship that takes time.
The person who steadfastly looks to God can know an inner oneness which makes possible a confident outlook even in the darkest hours. In exchange for our mortality, short-sightedness and weakness, faith receives God's perspective, immortality, strength and presence. That is security far, far beyond anything this world offers. The promises God keeps with us are intended to create confidence in His Word and faithfulness to Him. Those who abide in His Word and cultivate faithfulness, find peace, a deep, restful constant assurance that God cannot forsake His Word nor His promises. For those whose mind is fixed upon the promises of God, the outcome of all events is peace.
How can we find this peace when we feel far from God in the midst of our loss, sadness and grief? We find it by giving ourselves time while at the same time trusting that God is present right where we are. It is a time to receive Grace when we need it most of all. It's a time of understanding that God knows where we are on our journey and will not lose hold of us as we seek comfort and healing that can only come from God. Isaiah reminds us to trust when we can do nothing else and God promises to hold us and give us a firm foundation upon which to stand as our journeys continue, because He is the Rock Eternal.
**This post is adapted from our Service of Remembrance honoring our children who were miscarried, stillborn or have died.
Here is my pastoral prayer from yesterday's worship service,
O Great Comforter,
who was with Elizabeth through her barren years and with Mary through her uncertain pregnancy. We know you were in the school Friday, you were with the teachers and the students EVERY MOMENT.
Lord, we ask that you continue to abide in the families of Charlotte, Daniel, Rachel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Dawn, Madeleine, Catherine, Chase, Nancy, Jesse, James, Grace, Anne Marie, Emilie, Jack, Noah, Caroline, Jessica, Avielle, Lauren, Mary, Victoria, Benjamin and Allison. Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.
We pray for those in our congregation and in our community struggling this season.
We pray for your peace. God of peace, let us feel your peace today. Amen
Lauren Boyd
Director of Programming and Membership at PHUMC
Partner to Candi and Mother to Miller who is 5
Wonderful, Lauren. I was telling a friend at work today that I went to church yesterday, needing to hear something comforting after Friday's horrific events. I'm not sure if the minister chose specifically to avoid it, because some bring their children to the service (the church's contemporary service) or if he just went forward with what he'd likely written before the tragedy occurred. But, selfishly, I felt frustrated that it wasn't really addressed. It was mentioned in the opening prayer, but that was it. I know church isn't about me personally and my needs, but I've had so many times in my life when I sat in church and did feel that the pastor was speaking directly to me somehow. I ended up finding my mind wandering as he talked at length about joy - which I wasn't feeling. Again, I'm willing to admit that there was surely something that I was meant to hear but missed. But, I wanted you to know that in this brief read and in that beautiful prayer, I feel more solace than I did after the entire service yesterday. Thank you. Miss you and miss PHUMC.
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