The Cup

It would be extremely easy to say that our cup is half-full at best right now. Our congregation has experienced a deeply painful month. 3 discoveries of cancer (possibly 4). 5 deaths. 1 horrific accident resulting in two badly broken legs. 1 discovery of a brain tumor. 1 discovery of a brain cyst. Job losses. Divorce. Legal issues. Substance abuse. All within the last month for our congregation of 300 or so. And of course, this is simply the tip of the iceberg, as many more trials and concerns are faced by many in silence or in semi-private. We find ourselves wanting to ask "Why?", and wondering if we'll ever be able to see the glass as half-full again.

And yet I am not sure if I have ever seen so vividly the church being the church before. At every turn, and at every trauma, people are stepping forward to help and pray for those who are in need. The understanding that we, as a body of believers, are to "be there" for each other in times of good and bad is no longer just a matter of words. It is a daily way of life for us as we care for each other during these times of crisis. And as pastor of this amazing congregation, it is overwhelming to see the faithfulness of God's people, as they carry forth the call to "love one another".

By no means does that supercede the pain and grief faced by so many within our body. But it does help to alleviate the need to focus on the "why?", and instead focus on how God is being glorified in the midst of this world's pain. For the church is called to reflect the very essence of God in Jesus Christ, which is in many ways simply, the promise of His eternal presence. For He is "Emmanuel"; "God with us". We are no longer alone, no matter what we encounter or go through. He is with us. Be it pain or joy, our God is with us.

It has taken me this long to figure it out, but I have figured it out. It matters not whether the cup is half full or half emtpy. What matters is that in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are given the cup freely, and it is kept filled for us, and it shall never run dry, no matter how often we drink from it.