Looking Out 2nd January 2022

What a start to the New Year! It looks like we will begin the year with even more uncertainty about how to live with Covid. Think makes me wonder about the things we turn to for comfort when things look grim. Where or to whom do you turn? We all have coping mechanisms and depending on our upbringing and temperament we will seek comfort in various things varying from a chocolate bar to hobbies to drugs and alcohol. Sadly, we can also act on our feelings of fear and uncertainty resulting in violence and antisocial behaviors.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can look to One who will in the fullness of time bring all of life into the glorious realm of God. All will be well. This week in our lectionary readings we will hear the words of God through the prophet Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 31:13 God reaches out to his people with words of love and consolation, God declares “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow”. This verse reminds me of the hymn Comfort, comfort all my people which also echoes God’s declarations in Isaiah. The words are below.

With God on our side, with Christ leading the way and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will continue to be the joyful people of God no matter what comes our way in 2022.

May you have a blessed New year and may you know the comfort of our amazing, loving God each and every day.

Though your tears be rivers running,

though your tears be an ocean full,

though you cry with the hurt of living,

comfort, comfort.

Every valley shall be lifted,

every mountain shall be low,

every rough place will be smoother:

comfort, comfort.

Though your eyes see only darkness,

though your eyes can see no light,

though your eyes see pain and sorrow:

comfort, comfort.

Every night will have its morning,

every pain will have an end,

every burden will be lightened:

comfort, comfort.

Comfort, comfort all my people

with the comfort of my word.

Speak it tender to my people:

All your sins are taken away.