Looking into “forevermore” from the perspective of “now”

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
²My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121

Yesterday, May 9, was officially Mother’s Day. Or as it is known in the UK, Mothering Sunday. I have always preferred the mothering idea because as Katherine – WFPC’s director of children, family, and youth – pointed out Sunday morning, we are all “mommed” at one time or another, and by a variety of people.

That idea of deliberate care, support, and encouragement fit well with the first of Rebekah’s “Ten Favorite Scriptures” sermon series as we move toward August 1. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (watch the message here – starting at the 17:17 mark)

My Help Comes from the Lord:

*– Steve, Graham, and Kaitlyn singing in the WFPC sanctuary*

Of course to understand the nature of “help” we first have to understand the nature of our need – and what we need cannot be properly addressed in any other context. Wholeness, purpose, spiritual healing, and the opportunity to join in with God’s initiatives of love, light, and grace are gifts offered by Jesus and received in faith. So I wonder why we persist in investing so much in gods and idols that don’t even begin to meet us at the periphery of our need, let alone its heart?

It’s a question that was answered in the anthem by one of our children, Graham, when he sang, “When there is no peace on earth there is peace in Christ…”

Rebekah, as you can tell from this photograph, was very excited to have a scaled down Praise Band behind her in the CLC at 9:00, and (above) a miniature chancel choir at 10:30 in the sanctuary.

All I can think, heading into this countdown to retirement, is how the words of Psalm 121 have been ringing true since we started this ministry journey together in in 1979: “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8).

It has been “now” for 42 years, and in a short while it’s going to be “forevermore.”

Regardless, through our faith in God and our practice of following Jesus, “When we lift up our eyes (and look around at what this world offers in the way of life and meeting our need for wholeness),“ we can join the psalmist in asking – rhetorically – “Where does my help come from?” And the answer is the same as the truth that sustained the original writer: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Here are a few images from a good “mothering” Sunday – DEREK