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Dear San Marco Church Family: Recently I read an article written by someone who has suffered for 30 years with the debilitating effects of Crohn’s disease. The writer is a faithful follower of Christ who has struggled with so much suffering in her life that she can only take solace in the idea that her suffering reinforces a deep dependence upon God. What else can she do? Trusting God is a daily choice, and such trust does not promise any relief from physical suffering. Yet such deep trust does contain the seeds of hope. The writer, Church of England priest Rachel Mann, explains her current life as follows, “It is a fresh encounter with vulnerability and dependence. I feel like I am being taught new lessons in waiting and, thereby, fresh things about God and myself. I spend a lot of time waiting……….Most of all, I wait on God to speak. Truth is, she has been pretty quiet recently. I like to think she spoke in the success of my surgery, even if the consequences are challenging. I am trying to trust that she is showing me more of my true self as I wait in the silence.” I share this because of its raw honesty. She is not saying all the “right” Christian comments that we would expect her, as a priest, to say. Rather, her experience is an example of someone clinging to faith despite many reasons to question and doubt. While thankfully I have never experienced such a debilitating physical illness, I have experienced loss and suffering in my life, some of which I created. Her authentic clinging to faith in a God of deep mystery and deep love is an encouragement because of her honesty. It is my belief that God honors our honest communication, perhaps more than anything else. If you are currently experiencing any suffering in your life, physical or otherwise, by all means cry out to God in Christ. Get mad and yell if you need to do so. God can take our anger, our frustration, and our disappointment. I believe the most important thing is to keep the communication alive and ongoing. More than anything, the long, patient attention to our relationship with the Holy Spirit of God produces incredible dividends. This Sunday, October 12, I will be sharing a message based upon Luke 17: 11-19. The message will focus upon the practice of gratitude. Personally, I am grateful for your prayers and encouragement as we work together to serve God through San Marco Church. I look forward to seeing you Sunday! Steve Hart
stevehart100@gmail.com
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