On Listening to (No) Sounds
Dear MRC Family,
Eastertide blessings to you!
I’ve returned from vacation and I’m happy to be back doing the ministry God has called me to do with you. Allow me to share some of the sounds (not sights) from my time away.
Be still and know . . .
Song birds singing out their springtime music in the morning
A barred owl hooting at night, along with her younger companion the screech owl
Gray tree frogs and spring peepers all competing for who could produce the most loud and raucous call to attract a mate
The rooster down the lane letting everyone know these were his hens to guard and protect
The quiet murmur of my heartbeat and breathing as I floated in the pool
The boisterous gobble of a turkey strutting across the front yard. I heard her before I saw her!
The strong wind blowing across the mountains and through the trees. My mind went to Jesus’ words to Nicodemus — “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes” — and I thought, “Spirit, you are mighty fierce today.”
And at night, just quiet . . . a deafening quiet as I gazed up at the multitude of stars
Do you know what I didn’t hear?
The insistent and perpetual hum of lawnmowers and leaf blowers
People honking, yelling, and cursing at each other on the road
The loud blare of a train horn
The insistent clattering whine of a wood chipper
Be still and know . . .
I’m very aware that not everyone can get away for two weeks to rest in the stillness of God’s creation. It is a privilege I have and one I’m grateful for. That said, I encourage, as you are able, to take an hour or a day or any amount of time to go somewhere and listen to the sounds of silence. To allow yourself to exhale and release the tyranny of the week in these challenging times. To focus on what truly matters when all is said and done — God’s never-ending love for you.
Come, MRC family, let us celebrate God’s love and worship together this Sunday at 10:30AM. Tom will lead us in our hymns and the Joyful Noise Adult Choir is singing “Come Find Rest.” I will be preaching from Acts 16.13-40 — Paul and Silas are imprisoned and then rescued, but I’m not preaching about that part of the story (what?!) — and my sermon title is For the Sake of Freedom. If you are unable to be in person for worship, we will be streaming live on our YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@mrcafabulouschurchoflove1611. And if you are one of our many followers on Facebook, subscribers on YouTube, or you worship with us online, please consider donating to the ministries of MRC at www.mrchurch.us/give. Thank you for your generosity!
Keep bothering and following Jesus, beloved. See you Sunday!
In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,
Pastor Trish