by Pastor Mark Moreno

God is With Us Always

I grew up playing baseball and football and it was a blast! I loved practice, the hard workouts, the fresh cut grass. The games of course were the pinnacle, a chance to compete against others and see who would come out on top. The seasons were sometimes long: Cold weather games, dealing with injuries, traveling on the bus to some distant field. But one thing I kinda dreaded was the end of the season.

When the season was over, you turn in the equipment. You have the coach address the team one final time. Your routine changes and the guys you played alongside also go in different directions. I remember I felt that I had spent a whole season trying to accomplish a common goal with a group and now that time was over.

The one thing I have left out, of course, is how the season ended. Did we win the whole championship? Was it a losing season? Did we make a decent playoff run? Because that answer often has a lot to do with how I felt at the end.

You may not be playing sports these days, but are you at the end of a season? Maybe the kids are headed off to college? Maybe you are considering retirement? Perhaps something else. But it can be a bittersweet moment of celebrating what was, a reflection of time spent in a given effort, as well as acknowledging that it is over and a new chapter is beginning.

In the book of Revelation, chapter 21, we read,

“I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
English Standard Version

God’s Word for you in all seasons is trustworthy and true. Even though we may dread the end of a season, we can have the encouragement that God is with us. My prayer for you is that you can see our Savior Jesus in all stages of our lives and that we know He is holding our loved ones in His care and mercy. May God be with you in a wonderful new chapter, a fresh new beginning!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO