by Rev Robert A Wendel
Have you been a fan of elephants at the circus? Well, the next time they’re in town, rush out and see them because they are being pulled from all the Ringling Brother’s shows by 2018. Kids love these large, majestic creatures, whose trunks sway as they ample around the center ring.
The absence of the performing elephants will certainly be a big change under the world’s most famous Big Top. We humans don’t like change, even if changes come slowly. We know what we anticipate seeing or doing at most public events. There’s a script in our heads that’s been there since the days when we begged our parents for cotton candy.
If we’re counted present at most regular Sunday morning worship services, we know in that hour there will be three hymns, a sermon, an offering and a rundown of the congregation’s upcoming doings. We just don’t like surprises especially on the Sabbath. Everyone knows we conclude this weekly ritual at noon. Lunch awaits.
Pastors often refer to God as our rock. It’s reassuring to lay hold of this picture of the Almighty, to catch the stability, the permanence and the strength we find in Him.
In this time of unexpected change, knowledge that God is enduring and unchanging is a source of unshakable comfort even for now-and-then Christians. Still, we all have to handle the things that disturb us. Sometimes, we call them “the elephants in the room.” Often there is no inner peace this side of those human struggles.
Non-believers have been known to mock these who seek refreshment, renewal or some sort of personal, spiritual recharging within the confines of our faith and our relationship with our Maker. No weakness here, only abiding, honest joy!
This certainly is a word of assurance and it can be ours even after this year’s beautiful Easter flowers have served their predictable, unchangeable purpose, reminding us – Jesus lives! And indeed, one day, so shall we.