Listen

My tears have been my food both day and night, as people constantly questioned me, “Where’s your God now?”

But I remember these things as I bare my soul: how I made my way to the mighty one’s abode, to God’s own house, with joyous shouts and thanksgiving songs— a huge crowd celebrating the festival!

Psalm 42:3-4

Think

“Have you ever felt like nobody was there? Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?” These lyrics come from the song, “You Will Be Found” sung in the Broadway-hit musical, Dear Evan Hansen, and they remind me of the psalm we have just read.

Many of us have faced isolation like Evan Hansen. Many of us have experienced a loss or lack of community. It is human nature to want connection especially when we are grieving, scared, sad, anxious, or uncertain. But just as the scripture tells us, and just as the musical states, “There’s a place where we don’t have to feel unknown… And every time that you call out you’re a little less alone.”

God is throwing a party for you. Yes, you. God is celebrating that you are here. Let God be the “friend to carry you,” and give thanks to the BIG community that you are a part of.

Meg Rooney

Pray

God, you remind me that I belong just because I am here.

Please help me feel celebrated and welcomed into the Body of Christ when I feel far from your presence.

Amen.

Go

Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us.

Frederick Buechner in Wishful Thinking (1973)