Refuge in God

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings” Psalm 17:8

This line from Psalm 17 is one of my favorites. One of the main reasons is that we often chant it at the end of evening prayer at my beloved retreat center. St. Augustine said, “He who sings prays twice.” And I do find that scripture, when set to music, finds a deeper place of resonance in my soul. There is something about a line of song that calls me back to a place of centeredness and allows me to be more deeply present in the moment.

We had several opportunities to experience that last Sunday. I’ve said to numerous people that our celebration of All Saints — from the quiet service at 8:30 to the full house at 10:30, with three baptisms and the reading of the names of our dearly departed, capped off with a glorious evensong — was “good church.” It felt nourishing at a deep level and allowed us to, perhaps, set aside some of the noise of the world for a few moments.

To take refuge in God is not a permanent state. We are called into the world over and over again. But worship also has the capacity to help us transcend the tyranny of the now and remember the deep promises of our faith. That faith is what gives us the capacity to navigate the chances and changes of this life.

As I announced last week, we will have a transition here at St. Mark’s as Matt answers the call to a new ministry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We will miss him and his family and enjoy celebrating them at the end of this month. We will also start to imagine what a new season will look like here at St. Mark’s as we look for a new clergy person to join us in the coming year.

Transition is a part of life. I realize this every time I pass the wall of former rectors as I enter my office. Clergy and people come and go, and yet our community remains. Your generosity makes that community possible through your financial gifts and your sharing of time and talents. We are so blessed by so many who contribute to what makes us our unique piece of the Body of Christ here at 315 E. Pecan.

But we are not just people who happened to wander into the same place. We are disciples who trust that when we gather, we are drawn together by the presence of God. That God is our refuge and strength. We are beloved children of God, and each one of us is the apple of God’s eye. We seek refuge in that presence not to avoid the world, but to be sustained and nurtured to then go out and share that presence with all we meet.

What a gift to gather and worship the one who created us and sustains us. As we approach the Advent season, imagine the ways in which you might intentionally participate in our common life as we prepare to welcome new life again at Christmas.

Peace, Beth +