Pastor Speaks - October 24, 2002
Dr. Keith Wagner, Pastor
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
Sidney, Ohio

These are anxious times. Our nation is considering the possibility of war with Iraq. We are still conducting a major assault against terrorism. Corporate America is going through one of it’s most scandalous periods of history. The economy is struggling as millions of people are joining the ranks of the unemployed and millions of others are finding their future retirement benefits shrinking.

When life overwhelms us we wonder why God hasn’t intervened. We want government, our families, or someone to fix everything and make things better. With no hope in sight people are driven into despair or they become depressed. Where and who do we look for hope?

When the Israelites found themselves in perilous times the prophet Isaiah stepped forward and gave them hope. He told them that the same God who helped them in the past would help them in the present. He said, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you." Isaiah 43:1-2

This same God who helped the Israelites in the past will be the same God who helps us in the present. God always responds to the faithful. God is the same God, yesterday, today and forever. When we look to the past and remember how we endured those anxious moments, it gives us hope for the present. Another comforting aspect of hope is to remember the people who walked with us. God doesn’t promise us a life free of problems, crises or pain. God does, however provide individuals during our anxious times who share life with us.

Do you remember Christopher Reeves, the actor who was paralyzed in a fall from a horse? In the book, Chicken Soup for the Couple’s Soul, Reeves describes how he was able to survive his tragic accident on Memorial Day weekend, 1995. He said, "They (the doctors) told me in detail about the extent of my injury and said that after the pneumonia cleared from my lungs, they would operate to reconnect my skull to the top of my spine. They didn't know if the operation would be successful, or even if I could survive it. They had a plan, but it was extremely risky and they needed my consent.

It was only after the doctors left that I began to absorb what they had told me: This was a paralyzing injury. Dana, my wife, came into the room. She said, ‘I am only going to say this once: I will support whatever you want to do, because this is your life and your decision. But I want you to know that I'll be with you for the long haul, no matter what.’ Then she added the words that saved my life: ‘You're still you. And I love you.’ What Dana said made living seem possible, because I felt the depth of her love and her commitment to me."

When we experience that depth of love from others we are inspired to continue. When we experience the depth of the unconditional love of God we are also empowered to go forward in life in spite of overwhelming odds. We have hope by looking to our past. We have hope because there are people among us who walk with us during our difficult times. And, we have hope in God, who promises to be with us always.

In my life there have been hundreds of people who have walked with me through difficult circumstances. And like Christopher Reeves, I an grateful that I have a loving, supportive spouse to be with me when I’m feeling down or overwhelmed. But others have helped too; some have been friends, some relatives and some complete strangers. However, in retrospect it was primarily people in the Church that helped me to persevere. There were times when an entire congregations supported me through a crisis. In the place of great prophets, like Isaiah, it was people in the faith community who sustained me.

As I look to the past I remember Vietnam. I was a veteran and I lost friends. As a child I remember the threat of the atom bomb, ducking under my school desk and covering my head. I also remember the collaspe of the Berlin Wall and the breaking up of the Soviet Union. Somehow, God interevened with people of faith, saving the world and giving us hope. I believe this same God is still with us today.

It is impossible for us to look ahead and know what problems we will encounter in the future. Regardless of the precautions we take and the preventative measures to protect ourselves, there will be things that happen beyond our control. Just ask our neighbors in Xenia, who have experienced several destructive tornadoes. As Isaiah proclaimed, "When you walk through fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God…..Fear not, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:2-5