Dear Friends,
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand”. (John 10:28 NIV)
Friends, the COVID-19 turbulence has caused a lot of fear, panic and confusion. “Yes, there is fear. But there does not have to be hate. Yes, there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness,” wrote Richard Hendrick (Irish Priest). Hence the reason for my keeping in touch, through this letter, to offer continued pastoral support to you during this time.
I am sure we are getting used to the phone calls and text messages coming through to check on us. By now we must have learned that the world is not safe as it has always never been with all the threats from disease, wars, terrorism, natural disasters and crime among others. And here is the question to us all: ‘Are you safe?”.
Today I am writing to assure you that our place of safety is in the Lord, where even war cannot crush. The Psalmist describes a refuge so secure where we can rest in spite of war:
“Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me” (Psalm 31:2 NIV).
The world is not a safe place, but there is no refuge like our God. I am inspired by Michele Cushatt who has this to say: “Safety isn’t the absence of suffering. It’s finding rest in the middle of it”. When all other ground is sinking sand, my hope is built on nothing less- but on Jesus Christ the solid rock! May you trust His words of comfort:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV).
At such a time as this, may we remain conscious to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and be attentive to what God is saying to us amid all this. We are called upon to engage in deep prayer and fasting.
Your friend & Minister,
Revd. Adam Nyawo
Header Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash