Find strength in God
Rev. Mike Sorsen, Special to The Gazette
Friday, November 6, 2009
By the Rev. Mike Sorsen
Special to The Gazette
During the month of October, our congregation was focused on readings from Job for our Sunday services. Job isn’t always the first place we go for inspiration, but Job can teach us a lot, especially when dealing with adverse conditions.
On the Sunday I was to preach on Job’s calling to God out of his misery, I didn’t know what to say to the congregation.
Job had lost everything. His children were dead, his money was gone and he was covered with boils from head to toe. Through all of this he proclaimed God’s glory.
When his wife came to him and told him to curse God and die, he still held fast to his faith in God. Job simply commented: if we expect to receive the good from God then we must also accept the bad. Even Job’s friends came by and told him that all of the bad things were really Job’s fault, but Job wasn’t going to blame God for it all, nor was Job willing to take responsibility for all of this taking place as a punishment from God.
It didn’t help that I was feeling a bit like Job during October. It was time to prepare the church budget during a recession. Our family had some significant unexpected expenses in 2008 and 2009 that finally came home to roost when the dollars flowing in could no longer keep up with the outflow. My dad had been battling Hodgkin’s disease for a few months and it seemed that he was winning his fight with the cancer, but he was slipping away because of the toll the fight was taking on his body.
We didn’t have a long sermon that day. I just couldn’t say what I needed to say. I wanted to say something more, but the pain of what I was going through left we crying out with Job.
Where are you God? Why does it have to be this way?
At the same time, I was crying out in thanks for the many blessings God had bestowed on me. All I could think of was singing praises to God, because it is God we must draw our strength from. So, we praised God with extra hymns in worship that day.
My dad died at the end of October. I am saddened at the things that are lost — fishing trips, holiday visits, phone calls, working on home improvement projects together and so much more. My heart is lifted, however, when I think of all the wonderful times we had together. I want to feel sorry for myself, but my faith won’t allow me to.
I find great joy in picturing my dad’s journey from the ICU room into the arms of Jesus Christ. I am reminded that my hope is not found in the money in my bank account, but in the grace of God offered to us in Jesus Christ.
I have spent time wondering the last few days. What does someone that doesn’t believe in God hold onto when times are tough?
I can’t imagine not having a church family to care for me when things aren’t going right for me.
I can’t imagine where you find hope in the death of a loved one if you don’t believe in the grace of God.
I can’t imagine what happens to your self-worth when your money dries up or you find yourself unemployed, if you find your hope in money or even your work.
God and our faithful brothers and sisters can help to hold us up during the times of trial we all face in our lives. So many of us are mourning, hurting financially or worried about our futures with a recession that continues to bring financial worries to many. I say, get involved in a community of faith to strengthen your connection to God.
Allow your neighbors to help you.
Turn to God for strength.
At times of uncertainty in our futures, we must remind ourselves that our lives are not judged by what we have, but by what we do with what we have and how we make an impact on the people around us. The place to find peace in our struggles and losses is in God and sharing God’s grace with the community around us.
May God’s presence bring you strength and hope.
F “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. Mike Sorsen, pastor at Emporia Presbyterian Church.