Day 19
Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic
A series of daily reflections for people of faith, published by the Patuxent
Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland, by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
WEEK THREE: THURSDAY 2 APRIL 2020
“The Inspiration of a Higher Meaning”
“It can all seem so meaningless. Some random biological mutation sweeps across the globe, murdering thousands, lacerating families and pulverizing dreams. Life and death can seem completely arbitrary. Religions and philosophies can seem like cruel jokes. The only thing that matters is survival. Without the inspiration of a higher meaning, selfishness takes over.” Newspaper editorial “The Moral Meaning of the Plague” by David Brooks 27 March 2020
Interpretation. It’s all in the interpretation, how we perceive what is happening, which in turn informs how we respond to what is happening. If ‘selfishness takes over’ as things become more dire, it will be because of a worldview devoid of an experiential ‘inspiration of a higher meaning.’
And even for those who have an inspired connection with a higher meaning, interpretations can fall on the bleak side: fatalism can cripple the soul, a belief that it was all predestined, resulting in a sober resignation to God’s will. Then there is the judgmental worldview that interprets all of what’s happening as God’s judgment on the world. And what believer would question that?
But there is another interpretation marked by hopefulness, a worldview that sees everything in the hands of a God who is sovereign over all, and in Whose benevolent nature we can trust, no matter how dark the day when we can’t seem to see at all into tomorrow: “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the light will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” Psalm 139:11-12.
The inspiration of a higher meaning for people of faith does not involve a worldview that understands what is swirling around us, but rather trusts in someone Who does.
Reflective question: Jesus is the ‘inspired higher meaning’ you can trust to interpret today… and tomorrow. How is your trust level just now?
Reflective scripture: Psalm 56:3 – When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”
Reflective hymn: “Moment by Moment” – Daniel Whittle 1840-1901
Never a trial that He is not there, never a burden that He doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that He doth not share; moment by moment I’m under His care.
Moment by moment I’m kept in His love; moment by moment I’ve life from above.
Looking to Jesus ‘till glory doth shine; moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.
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