Our futures will include suddenlies

Communion meditation – March 14^th, 2021

Liberty Vineyard Church, 2:30pm parking lot service (COVID-19)

As I prayed about this week’s communion meditation, the Lord prompted me to consider “suddenlies” –

• When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God!
• On the day of Pentecost soon after Jesus ascended to the Father after His resurrection, suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit!
• As Saul was on the road to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him and He heard the voice of God!
• When Paul & Silas were in prison praying and singing hymns to God, suddenly there was a great earthquake, all the doors were opened, and every prisoner’s bonds were unfastened!
• We had brisk temperatures and dull skies, then suddenly, spring flowers popped up all around!
• Those are all wonderful suddenlies. Sometimes suddenlies are not so pleasant or welcome.
• About this time last year, suddenly COVID-19 burst onto the scene, impacting all of us in ways we couldn’t have previously imagined.
• Some of us have suddenly received a diagnosis, suddenly encountered financial difficulties, suddenly lost a friend, suddenly found that our world was rocked by changed circumstances.
• In Proverbs 3, God tells us that sudden terror will come, but assures us that the LORD will be our confidence so we do not need to be afraid of it.
• We don’t know what tomorrow holds for any of us, but we can be sure our futures will include suddenlies. We have a choice not in which suddenlies we experience, but in how we react to the suddenlies that come our way. We could choose to give way to fear, frustration, anxiety, annoyance, disappointment, or even dread. Or we can choose to abide in the peace of Christ, to rest in His presence, to live and move and have our being in Him. None of us can or will do this perfectly. But with each breath we take, we can breathe in more of the peace and joy of Christ. And each time we exhale, we can breathe out whatever is weighing us down, whatever is keeping us from experiencing the fullness of God’s love and grace.

I want to invite us to remember to pause as we breathe in (pause), breathe out (pause), and remember the Lord’s resurrection by celebrating communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, together.

On the night he was handed over, the night before he was crucified, Jesus gathered with his friends for a meal. He took the bread, and after blessing it, he broke it, saying, “This is my body, which is broken for you. As often as you eat it, remember me.” Please pray with me: Jesus, as we take this bread, let it be a sign of all you did for us, and who you are for us. Thank you for this bread of life. [let’s eat together]

After sharing the bread, Jesus took a cup of wine, and gave it to them to drink, saying, “This is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many.” Let’s pray: Jesus, as we drink this cup, let it be a sign for us of all you did for us, and who you are for us. Thank you that you bring us peace that passes understanding.  [let’s drink together]

(close in prayer)