Nebraska Synod ELCA

I spread out my hands to you;
my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.
O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me;

do not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear of your lovingkindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you;
show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you.

— Psalm 143.6-8 —

A thing I have always loved about living in Nebraska is the assurance that if you’re here long enough, you will experience nearly every single meteorological condition known to this planet. Bone-chilling cold that freezes your nostrils shut the second you step outside? Yep. Heat and humidity more akin to a southern swamp than a midwestern field? Yep. I’ve seen measurable snow on my birthday in early May and I’ve worn shorts playing basketball outside in January. There isn’t a corner of this state that hasn’t known both the powerful damage that can be brought by flood and the slow panic that sets in when there’s been no measurable rain in months and the drought just… keeps… going. No matter what season it is, no matter where we might call home, we see all kinds of weather here, sometimes when our deepest wish might be that things would just be a little bit boring for a while.

Likewise, as disciples of Jesus we can be assured that if we follow long enough, we will experience nearly every single theological or spiritual condition known to this faith. Fervor and passion that puts a bounce in our steps and love in our hearts? Yep. Calm and peace that abide in tranquility and patience like a quiet summer morning? Yep. Some of you know, like the psalmist above, that it is possible to experience drought as a theological condition as well as meteorological. Our faith can go dry just as easily as our rivers or burn up just as easily as our forests and grasslands – or perhaps even more easily, and with similarly devastating consequences.

In the midst of all of this, we cling to a hope that is beyond us and beyond what the weather report tells us. We are a resurrection people, and we believe in the promises of the Maker of all Things who loves us beyond flood and drought, passion and apathy, tornado and blizzard, fear and trust. We worship the One who is more than the bringer of weather (even if we might ask, please, for a bit more rain over here and fewer tornadoes over there). We trust that whatever the weather may bring, God will bring what we need, and walk with us rain or shine from our first sunrise to our final sunset. Come drought or downpour, we do not walk alone, dear friends, and we know that the final forecast is going to be a good one.

Yours in all kinds of weather,
Bishop Scott Alan Johnson

Questions to Ponder

Think of the best and worst faith circumstances in your life. What weather would you use to describe those days? What happened when the “weather” changed? Have you ever been “caught” in an unusual faith condition (like being caught in a sudden storm)? What happened? How did you get through and recover?

Prayer

God of our hope, you bring the first light of dawn to those who live in the dark places of desolation and fear. Send your good Spirit to lead us on firm and level ground, that we may put our trust in you and do what is pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress)