Jesus invites us to receive his words, “Peace! Be still” – to think beyond our fear and the uncertainty, to trust our faith to guide us.
Peace, Be Still
Right now, we are like the disciples in a boat on stormy waters, tossed about, afraid of capsizing, as Jesus sleeps soundly. “Wake up, Jesus! We are terrified! Can’t you see that we’re perishing?”
Then Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” Not in a stern, chiding tone, but in a wistful, quiet tone. Jesus invites us to receive his words, “Peace! Be still” – to think beyond our fear and the uncertainty, to trust our faith to guide us.
Learn to sign “peace” in ASL. When you feel anxious, offer the sign along with Jesus’ words, “Peace! Be Still!” as a prayer.
—Susan Lukey, High River United Church, High River, AB
Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
Hope in Turbulent Times
In the face of turmoil and uncertainty, it's effortless to lose sight of hope. Nevertheless, hope serves as the anchor that stabilizes us, the beacon that navigates us through darkness.
Hope reminds us that more favorable days lie ahead, that our current struggles aren't the culmination of our journey. It's the unspoken assurance that we possess greater resilience than we perceive and we can withstand more adversity than we envision.
May hope and faith be your guiding lights in these difficult times.
—Samuel Afolabi, Mount Stewart-Morell-St Peter's Bay, PEI
Find Solace
We are enveloped in Creation's embrace, though sometimes it feels she is spitting us up.
That even through the bile and darkness, the sun rises every 24 hours, bringing new light, fresh ideas.
Seasons change, providing rest, rebirth, flourishing, dying back, and resting again...a circle of life.
As humans, as communities of faith, as earth's inhabitants, as denominations, inextricably connected...what is in one is in the whole.
As a bear returns to the earth every winter for rest,
so must we return to ourselves...to Spirit...trusting in rebirth and resurrection...in flourishing
In new ways we do not yet understand...
Until we need to find rest again.
—Tanna Edwards, Bridgenorth United Church, Bridgenorth, ON
We encourage you to share your own "100 Words of Hope" (prayers, poems, or reflections).
The views contained within these blogs are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of The United Church of Canada.