June Newsletter: Words of Hope

Dear Friends,
Because I have received such positive feedback about my pastor's column for the June 2009 Monroe City & Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church Newsletter, I thought I should share it with a wider audience. My June newsletter column makes reference to some specific events taking place in Monroe City, Missouri. Even so, I believe these words can bring comfort and hope to other people in other places.
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From Your Pastor…

In the January newsletter, I unveiled my motto for the New Year:

“Things will be fine In two thousand and nine!”

As we come to half-way point in the year, we may be asking ourselves, “Are things really going fine in two thousand and nine?”

Recent events in our community might lead many to say, “No. Things are not fine.” Pace Industries will be closing its Monroe City plant July 14, putting more than 180 people out of work. Meanwhile, Intermet Corporation will be up for auction on June 22. No one knows yet what the new owners may do with the company in terms of closures and consolidation. And then, as if to add insult to injury, Pete Paris Chevrolet will be losing their General Motors franchise in October 2010.

Wow—what a blow to our community. Pete Paris, Pace, and Intermet have a long history here in Monroe City. Some people have spent most of their careers working at one place or another. What is going to happen when two or perhaps all three of these community pillars come crashing down? Is there any hope for the future of Monroe City?

An old African-American Gospel song goes, “In times like these you need the Bible.” Indeed, the Bible can bring us hope and comfort as we face difficult and challenging days ahead. I especially find the 23rd Psalm to be helpful in times of trouble.

I once heard a pastor preaching on this beloved Psalm. He reminded us that verse four states: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” Notice how it doesn’t say, “Even though I get stuck in the valley” or “Even though I stumble and fall in the valley.” No. The Psalm is clear: “Even though I walk through the valley.” You see, as we face the dark valleys of life, we don’t have to get stuck; we don’t have to stumble and fall. We can walk. We keep on pushing ahead and we will get through the valley. The valley may be dark and treacherous. It may be filled with obstacles. We may have a difficult time seeing the way ahead. But if continue to walk, we will make it through.

As we walk through the valley, the Psalmist reminds us: “I fear no evil; for thou art with me.” We need not make this journey alone. The Lord who is our shepherd will walk by our side. We need not be afraid because the Lord will be with us each step of the way.

But the Lord does more than just walk with us. The Psalm continues: “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” The rod and staff are important tools for a shepherd. A shepherd uses a rod to protect the sheep by driving off wolves, coyotes, and other dangers. The crook on the end of the staff makes it a valuable tool for rescue. If a sheep gets caught in thorns, or if it has slipped and fallen to a place of danger, the shepherd can grab a hold of the sheep with the crook of the staff, and bring in the sheep to safety. So as tools of protection and rescue, the rod and staff bring comfort to the sheep.

The Lord’s rod and staff bring comfort to us as well. The Lord takes the rod to drive away the wiles of the enemy that would discourage us, bring us down, and even cause us to loose our faith. And if we ever get caught in life’s thorns or stumble off of the pathway, our shepherd will reach out with a staff to catch us and bring us to safety.

So even though the days ahead may be difficult and challenging, we can proceed with confidence knowing that we will get through this valley. The Lord will be by our side, protecting and keeping us, each and every step. And that, my brothers and sisters, is good news!

Grace and Peace,
Clayton