Pastor's Corner: Reopening our world after a few lessons

By the time you read this I’m hopeful that we will be on our way in the final stages of reopening our nation and world! Who would have ever thought the entire world would go through what we have been in recent months. I can’t help but wonder what lessons we’ve all learned through this, but here are a few that come to mind:

--Planning ahead is a good thing but ultimately the Lord is in control (Proverbs 16:9).

--Worry can sometimes be god-like in its power, but prayer reminds us of who is really God (Philippians 4:6-7).

--Relationships at church are critical for healthy spiritual living, and we should never take them for granted nor neglect them (Hebrews 10:25).

--Our ultimate hope is not in our nation, economy, health or self-confidence, but in the “living hope” found only in Jesus (I Peter 1:3).

--Despite its shortcomings at times, the church is the still best thing going in our world (Matthew 16:17-18)!

I could list a lot more “lessons” that have come to the surface during these past months, as I’m sure you could, too. I’m looking forward to being together once again, face to face, in worship and celebration in our churches. May the Lord continue to sustain all of us during this time and give leaders guidance as the world “reopens” again!

Pat Coyle is pastor of Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church.