20/20 Vision

Isaiah 58:8-12 says...
“Then, oh then, your light will break out like the warm, golden rays of a rising sun;
in an instant, you will be healed.
Your rightness will precede and protect you;
the glory of the Eternal will follow and defend you.
Then when you do call out, “My God, Where are You?”
The Eternal One will answer,
 “I am here, I am here.”
If you remove the yoke of oppression from the downtrodden among you,
stop accusing others, and do away with mean and inflammatory speech...
If you make sure that the hungry and oppressed have all that they need...
...then your light will shine in the darkness...
And even your bleakest moments will be bright as a clear day.
The Eternal One will never leave you;
He will lead you in the way that you should go.
When you feel dried up and worthless,
God will nourish you and give you strength.
And you will grow like a garden lovingly tended; you will be like a spring whose water never runs out.
You will discover there are people among your own who can rebuild this broken-down city out of the ancient ruins;
You will firm up its ancient foundations.
And all around, others will call you
“Repairer of Broken Down Walls” and “Rebuilder of Livable Streets.”
 
Everyone wants to have 20/20 vision. We wear glasses, or contact lenses, or we have surgeries to correct our eyesight. With clear vision, we are able to observe the world around us with clarity. With 20/20 vision, we are able to each see the details of everyday life all around us. As we enter this new year of 2021, I am sure all of us are thankful that 2020 has ended. However, as bleak as 2020 was, not just for any of us, but for the world, I think we can learn from this past year. As we look back at 2020, I believe it can give us clarity about what is important in life.
 
Over this past year, we have each experienced loss of some kind. We have each dealt with a loss of worship in our sanctuary with loud singing, hugging close friends, and fellowship over coffee and donuts. We have been socially distancing and wearing masks in all public places. We have endured the constant news commentators with political banter. We have watched, heard stories, and read the news about the doctors and medical workers who are in their own “war zone” of a medical crisis dealing with the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19. And we have either heard of someone or actually know someone who has become ill from COVID-19, or extremely sick, or who have even died from this horrible virus.
 
And yet through all that has happened to us over this past year of 2020, we have the words of Isaiah 58 saying to us today...
“Then, oh then, your light will break out like the warm, golden rays of a rising sun;
in an instant, you will be healed.
Your rightness will precede and protect you;
the glory of the Eternal will follow and defend you.
Then when you do call out, “My God, Where are You?”
The Eternal One will answer,
 “I am here, I am here.”
 
Looking back at 2020 can actually give each of us 20/20 vision to look at our world with fresh eyes of clarity. We have learned that God is still with us when we worship virtually, or with others in our living room, or even when we have to be socially distant while wearing a mask in the sanctuary. Each of us now know how closely we are all to each other, not just here in our community, but throughout the world. COVID-19 has affected every nation around the world. All of us have been affected by a struggling economy with times of shutdowns, partial shutdowns, or even permanent closing of businesses. Each of have discovered just how much we rely on the manufacturing and shipping of everyday items such as milk, bread, eggs, meat... and especially toilet paper!
 
However, what is most important about the clear vision that this past year of 2020 can give us, is simply this... God has not wavered from us at all. In every aspect of this past year, we can see where God has been present in the lives of neighbors helping others in need. Churches and organizations helping to feed those in need. Health care workers holding up phones or iPad screens so that loved ones could say their “good-byes” to a parent, spouse, child, or friend who was dying. God has been present throughout this past year even during the difficulties of civil unrest. Members of communities helping businesses clean up broken glass and trash from riots. People holding hands with complete strangers in prayer circles while lifting each other and their communities for healing, peace, and a sense of brother/sisterhood to be restored. No matter what moment or situation from this past year... God has been, and still is saying to each of us... “I am here, I am here.”
 
My friends as we begin this new chapter of 2021, you can know without any doubt that God is with you at this very moment and the living presence of Christ is surrounding us. This year we have clarity and a sharp vision because of 2020. This year, we know how to help one another and weather our current situation of COVID-19. And this year, we will be restoring our communities and eventually taking off our masks and reuniting with hugs and laughter. So, as you begin this first long week of 2021, hear the words of God speaking to you in the midst of any current struggles you are still facing... “I am here, I am here.” Amen.
 
REFLECTION MOMENT:
I encourage each of you to write a letter to a “spiritual friend” sharing your memories of where you have experienced and seen God throughout this past year. Write down what you have learned about your own spiritual discipline of spending time with God, and how you have grown or struggled with your faith this past year. After you have written this letter. Read it out loud to yourself in a quiet space, and as you are reading your letter, remember that the living presence of Christ is with you, and be assured of his voice saying to you... “I am here, I am here.”

PLEASE spread the word... we WILL BE RETURNING for in-person worship on Sunday, January 17th.
Happy New Year and Blessings in all you do! Pastor K