by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Feeling Isolated

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I have hiked numerous miles in Sondermann Park in Colorado Springs, a secluded park in the heart of the city. Mesa Creek runs through the park to which beavers were reintroduced, and their work is already evident. Only a short distance from the trail head, just north of the first bridge, is a small pond engineered by these beavers.

This pond has significant benefits for the creatures that call this park home, but for this lone Cottonwood tree, this pond has sealed its fate. Over the course of time, it will die, should the pond continue to exist.

“Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.”
Haggai 1:13. English Standard Version

The people of God experienced a “beaver pond” moment when Haggai prophesied these words. The Israelites had returned from exile and set about rebuilding the temple. However, the pond began to fill as they ignored God’s call to put his temple first. Instead, they turned their attention to building their own homes and once again neglected the house of God and worship of the One who in mercy brought them back to their homeland as he had promised.

Ignoring God, his word and his ways, creates a pond of isolation. It happens slowly, but eventually we will be isolated, standing in water, and wondering what happened.

Where is God?

Is that your question today? Do you feel isolated because of your neglect of God’s word and ways? Even though Haggai’s words were hard for the people to hear, he reminded them that God had not left them even if they had turned their backs on him. God is forever Immanuel, God with us in Jesus. Christ’s forgiveness is greater than any “beaver pond” of our doing.

In this Advent season, God sends the Baptist’s voice once again, calling us to repent, to turn from our sin and embrace the forgiveness for which Jesus died and rose again to give us.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado