Steadfast Love Never Ceases…

Several times while driving on the road between DeFuniak Springs and Vernon (traveling to Dogwood Acres, Florida Presbytery’s Church Camp) I have passed by this church. Finally, in February while I was on my way to lead the Trinity Presbyterian Church (Pensacola) Men’s Retreat, I stopped and took some pictures. This church is one of Florida’s oldest standing churches. Moss Hill United Methodist Church has stood the test of time and remains today along the side of the road as a reminder of the early days of the church in this community.

Whenever I wander into old churches (whether it be in the US, West Indies, Canada, or various countries in Europe) I look at the architecture and I think of all the centuries of prayer. God’s people gathered in all times and in all circumstances for worship, fellowship, support, nurture, care, and prayer.

The 11th century ruins of Saint Inine Baoith church in the parish of Killinaboy is one of many such ruins we saw on our honeymoon in Ireland. Like the Moss Hill Church (which is a mere baby by Irish standards!), so many people through the centuries gathered for worship, solace, and sanctuary.

Why would these people for so many hundreds of years gather in these places of worship? What was it that drew them to these thin places where the spiritual and physical worlds are separated by a gossamer thread? I think it has something to do with the reading from Lamentations for this coming Sunday. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) It is faith that draws people to such places… it is the search for the divine… for comfort… for healing… for peace… It is a faith that believes the cry of Jeremiah in Lamentations… The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases…. Great is your faithfulness…

Sadly, last week such a place of sanctuary was violated when a gunman entered the Wednesday prayer meeting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (itself a historic church) in Charleston, South Carolina. “Mother Emanuel” as the church is called by many, provides a place of sanctuary for members of the African American community. It is a place to pray… it is a place to study… it is a place to grow spiritually… it was a place of safety and sanctuary. I say it was a place of safety and sanctuary for worshipers because Dylann Roof, a troubled young man filled with hatred and bigotry, stole that safety and sanctuary from the community on 17 June 2015.

In the aftermath of the shooting, and in the wake of so many refusing to call racism and bigotry what they are (REAL, people, they are ALIVE TODAY), my heart breaks. My heart breaks for all of the victims of racism and bigotry… those who have been brutally gunned down and those who suffer the thinly veiled racism and prejudice on a daily basis because of the color of their skin. My heart breaks for the ignorance of so many who refuse to acknowledge either their active or passive participation in racism (believe me, I have confessed my own battle with racism and do what I can to repent and rebuild). My heart breaks for people like Dyllan who are not mentally ill (it offends me that white racists and bigots are called mentally ill while a person of color is called a thug or a terrorist) but rather are consumed with a hatred for people different from themselves. My heart breaks… My heart breaks…

Yet, even in the midst of this darkness, God’s love never ceases. God’s love is seen in the words of the family members who forgive the one who stole the lives of their loved ones. God’s love is seen as people who spent many years in silence (yes, that includes me, sadly) are finally speaking out and demanding change. As hands and arms reach out in love as we seek to affirm our common bond of humanity as children of God.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases… The Lord is my portion… I will hope in the Lord… Dear reader, will you join with me in prayer and in action? Will you join with me as I seek to be a witness to that steadfast love of the Lord? Will you join with me in calling out racism and bigotry publicly? Will you join with me?