Life on the Pasture

This afternoon, I took some time to track our checking account and write down all the transactions that have occurred over the past month and a half. As I was going through the dates of each transaction, my mind recalled different things that have happened during the COVID-19 pandemic: the date of our first online midweek Lenten service, the date when Confirmation should have been celebrated, the Holy Week and Easter services we couldn’t gather for, the date when it became clear that the rest of the school year would be completed online.

In the background, I was listening to my favorite classical music station, CFMZ from Toronto. Many of the listeners requested selections in honor of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day, referring to Nazi Germany’s surrender on May 8, 1945). That put things into perspective for me. When I think about my parents describing all the sacrifices citizens made during WWII, this is nothing. When I try to picture my Dad participating in the D-Day invasion and recall his description of how difficult people had it in Europe from devastating bombing raids and other atrocities of war, yet I can make my way over to a grocery store and purchase what I need, I can’t complain.

Former news anchor Tom Brokaw coined the phrase “The Greatest Generation” in a 2001 book he authored by the same title. The particular generation he refers to lived through the Great Depression and World War II, two historical events which had the potential to completely change life as we know it. And while there was much complaining and political wrangling that occurred during those times, what drowned out the negative voices was a remarkable desire to work together as a nation. One characteristic I noticed about my Dad and all the other World War II vets I have talked to is their humility when it comes to talking about their service to our country. They were simply doing their part, realizing that without a nation working together, the enemy would win. 

And so it is also for our life as followers of Jesus. If we don’t work together, the evil one wins. Which is why Paul reminds us, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:5-8, NIV)

And right now, during this time in history, we have the opportunity to be a great generation, to exemplify what it means to love one’s neighbor as ourselves as we do what we can for the benefit of all. If it means wearing a mask in public, social distancing, canceling important events like graduations, doing what one can to support businesses that are struggling to stay afloat, encouraging those who find themselves isolated and alone, and whatever else we can do to work together to get through this, we’ll do it. Just like the Greatest Generation did in World War II. 

Just as Jesus did by offering the greatest sacrifice on the cross that the enemy would not win, but that in Christ we could have the eternal victory.

– Pastor Schmidt