Word of the Week: STILL
Dear Bethel,
Tucked into Psalm 46 is this beautiful invitation, “Be still, and know that I am God!” Sunday morning’s first light brought with it a unique beauty to behold clinging to every tree branch, bare bush, and varied vegetation. It was the splendor of “Rime Ice.” Rime Ice had formed from a dense fog that settled into our region causing droplets of water to become supercooled and freeze on contact to a surface below freezing. This Rime Ice was stunning and lasted in some areas well into the afternoon. God’s handiwork of icy white outlines of trees set against a bright blue sky was glorious.
Sometimes it is important to “be still” and observe the artistry of the Creator. The Psalmist continues in verse 11, “I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.” There is so much beauty to behold if we stop and take a look, especially in “the earth.” We live in a beautiful part of the state of Minnesota and are blessed with many natural resources that allow us to take in God’s creative work.
This time of pandemic has brought with it a new pace for many of us. More spaces of stillness. More attentiveness to the details. More savoring of simple beauty.
The rhythm of ministry at Bethel is currently at a pace of more “stillness” than what we knew a year ago at this time. And yet, there is a steady momentum driving us forward into the new year. This coming weekend will be an important vote for a new pastor to join the Bethel staff. Each day we learn of the distribution efforts of the vaccine for COVID and continue to pray for perseverance, good health, and patience as we wait. We can hear continued promises of hope for a pace of life to return that we once took for granted. Yet, we have to continue to be patient, to “be still” for a time until these things start to bring forth their fullness. God has, is, and will continue to bring about transformative ministry through Bethel. God has, is, and will continue to bring about advances in medicine that will help us resume a life freed from a virus.
The Rime Ice on Sunday morning returned on Monday morning only to fade into the warmth of another new winter day. A glimpse of beauty to remind us that God, the Creator, is with us. Psalm 46:12 continues with an assurance of this promise, “The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.” In these still January days when life continues at a slower pace, savor the beauty around you. Things will be picking up soon enough in the months ahead. Perhaps we will balance stillness more readily in the future realizing it holds beauty and gift.
Graced by the Gospel,
Pastor Anjanette