One lesson to be derived from the letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3 is that God walks among his people, even in the midst of the persecutions, challenges, and failures of this world. Living in this fallen world, we easily forget that God is among us. One reason we assemble is to share our faith stories and be reminded that God is among us.
Today is the sixth Sunday of 2013. So far this year, I have assembled with God’s people in six different congregations. Today I am glad to be home at Park Plaza because this spiritual family provides the springboard from which my faith story is being written. Around the world each Sunday, God’s people assemble to be reminded that God has penetrated human experience, intervening on our behalf through Jesus Christ, and binding us together as a habitation of God through the Spirit. God’s faithful people come together to hear and celebrate and be encouraged by the faith stories of others–especially important during those times when God’s presence is our own lives is more difficult to discern.
Today we are reminded that God walks among his people in good times and bad, in trouble and triumph. Each has a different story as the journey unfolds. God, please remind us today that you are faithfully present among your people, regardless of what the circumstances of life might suggest.