Pastor Letter: March 25, 2020

Buck Run Family,

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.” Psalm 24:1-2

For many of us, the last few days have been unsettling and uncomfortable, to say the least. Nearly every aspect of our lives has been disrupted. Maybe more than anything else, what has unnerved so many is the sense of helplessness that seems inevitable. It feels as if we’ve lost control of the world around us. That is not true. We haven’t lost control of the world around us. We never had it.

I will not pretend to know all that God is doing through the current circumstances. I do know that He is working to accomplish His purposes. There is at least one thing I believe God is doing: He is reminding us who the world belongs to. Our schedules and detailed life plans have lured us into believing that we control our lives. God is our convenient counselor, an ever-ready guide, but we run the show. What fools we have become. In a matter of days, our world has come to a screeching halt. Our plans, once so assured in our own minds, now are a vapor. They have always been so. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. It always has been His, and it still is today. It will still be His tomorrow. We must remember this. His care of His creation and His people will be a blessed anchor for our soul.

In the midst of tragedy and loss, this is a blessing. We would never wish to be in these circumstances and we pray for mercy in them, but let us not waste them either. Your life is no more out of your hands today than it has ever been. God has always been on the throne. That is good news. Your life is far more secure in the hands of Lord, then in your fragile plans. We are not promised an uncomplicated or easy life. The Lord has not committed to telling us what is around every corner. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us and that is enough for us. As you wade through the coming days, weeks, and months, allow these circumstances to lift up your head and turn your eyes to the Lord. When never-ending updates bombard your news feed, find your comfort in Him. When you are exhausted and at the end of your rope, rest in Him. We will get through.

Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!” Psalm 24:9-10 

In Christ,

Chris Parrish