Shelter-in-place. Lockdown. Quarantine. Stay home, stay safe. Whatever word you want to use for it, COVID-19 threw us another curve ball, though it shouldn't have been unexpected.
During this time, I greatly appreciate your prayers. Knowing how to be a pastor through something that you have never experienced before is weighing heavy on me and many of the pastors I know. We are prone to the same thoughts and temptations as you. We are not above you. Many of my pastoral friends are suffering from depression, exhaustion, and, like me, a feeling of being absolutely useless. Please pray for us! However, there are so many wonderful things in my life that are helping to combat these things. The greatest of them is an increased devotion to the Lord through prayer and His Word. He is the giver and sustainer of life and turning to him will not leave the soul unsatisfied. Another is worship music, with many loud moments of singing God's praise in our home. Also among the many things that has been a great source of encouragement is you. I have been working to stay in contact with as many of you as possible throughout the week, and every time I seek to be an encouragement to you, the Lord uses you to encourage me. Whether through what He is teaching you in His Word, or you taking a moment to pray with me on the phone, or hearing about how you are contacting people throughout the church to check on one another. This blesses my heart! You have been hearing and doing what the Word of God says, loving one another, and by this the world will know that you are Christ's disciples!
Jacqueline and I long to be back together with you church! We long to sing and pray and laugh and cry and be in the Word together. When this season is passed, I pray that we have an increased devotion to one another within the beautiful, grace-filled, gathering of the church. If there is anything we can do to help you during this time, please let us know!
Grace & Peace,
John
(You can reach Pastor John at jwhite@thevillagemi.com)