Dear HBIC Family,

 

One of the many challenges of the last few years has been dealing with anxieties that easily bubble up to the surface. For some of us, this hasn’t been a new reality or understanding. We are anxious about a great many things: our families, our health, our finances, our future, our faith, etc. But for an increasing amount of us, new anxieties have been startling in their consistency and intensity. Nevertheless, these new anxieties have also persistently reminded us that the world is not as it should be. 

 

We are living through a pandemic and in a world with natural disasters, war, and famine. Access to clean water is not a given for millions. Yet in all of this, I am always grateful for the Holy Spirit’s gentle reminder that we should not be okay with a world that is mired in darkness. I am always challenged by our Jesus, who calls us to be peacemakers and shine as light for the world to see. And I am humbled by our God and Father who entrusts us with doing the work of the kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.

 

Much of the story of my early life was defined by war. I left Liberia at age 6, and I have yet to return over thirty years later. A lot of my story was defined by decisions others made that directly impacted the life I am now living. I’m grateful for a grandmother’s boldness in taking me out of the country as war raged on. I am humbled by parents who made my life and safety a priority over their own. And I’m blessed by a God who has always been on my side.

 

Knowing that God is on our side helps us face today. This current situation in Ukraine, added to ongoing wars in Afghanistan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Yemen reminds us that we are not only living in rumors of war, but real wars that leave many peoples oppressed and endangered. We live in a world where darkness seems to be increasingly normalized. We live in a world where even the Christians have chosen earthly nations, care for me and mine, and power-by-might over the kingdom of God, love for others, and peace for all. 

 

It is important that we stand with the innocents of Afghanistan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Myanmar, Ukraine and Yemen. It is imperative that we advocate on their behalf. It is crucial that we open our hearts, use our resources, and exhaust all we have been blessed with to help ensure better future for them. This is our work fully realized in Jesus: to be just as God is just, to love as God wholly loves, and to walk in shalom – peace with God, one another, our world, and our selves – in this very moment and with every single breath we’re blessed to breathe. MCC offers ways to join in aiding Ukraine, and you can learn more about their efforts here.

 

Today marks the beginning of Lent as we join with Christians around the world to commemorate Ash Wednesday. This season reminds us of Jesus in the wilderness, and provides us a chance to focus on prayer, self-restraint, repentance, and reconciliation. This season also points us towards Calvary’s cross and Christ’s resurrection at Easter. Today we remember that from dust we have come, and to dust we shall return. We repent and believe the gospel, for Christ has come, lived, died, was raised, and now lives again.

 

I would like to invite you to join us tonight for our Ash Wednesday worship service beginning at 7 pm in the sanctuary or via live stream on our YouTube channel. Tonight, we will sing and pray, listen and reflect, worship and celebrate the love that God has for us – we who are dust and who may one day return to dust, are the blessed and beloved redeemed of God. With our world seemingly cloaked in darkness, we come together in humility to our God.

 

God helps us.

 

May the Holy Spirit bind us together as one, guide our prayers and actions, and lead us in the way of the Everlasting. May Jesus our Christ be our continual witness and example, light and Lord, and giver of hope we bring to all others. And may our God and Father transform us by the power of the Holy Spirit into Christlikeness as we endeavor to be the blessed peacemakers, God’s beloved light bringers, and kingdom builders working for “on earth as it is in heaven.” Amen.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Hank (Psalm 123:23-24)