Pastor's Challenger Article - March 2026
Friends:
As I write this column, I am looking out my window watching the snow melt. In the last month, we have had two significant snow falls. The first snow event happened during the weekend and we decided to cancel the Sunday worship service. The second snow fall also happened on the weekend, but we were able to worship together on Sunday since the snow would arrive later that day.
I’ve grasped a few meanings through these snow falls; the first one being our dislike of slowing down. We like to see ourselves as people on the go. “A rolling stone gathers no moss,” so goes the saying. Thus, our society itself is built on the principle of mobility, sudden influx, and adaptability. “Are you able to multi-task?” is a question of necessity asked at most job interviews.
No doubt we all understand the importance of getting things done and being efficient in the various endeavors to which we apply ourselves. Yet there are those who remind us of the importance of slowing down, of taking time to reflect on our lives and on what’s truly important in the grand scheme of things. I like the phrase, “Don’t just do something – stand there!” You see, we can see life’s deeper things when we give up our incessant need to be in motion. The psalmist of old echoed God’s voice in these words, “Be still and know that I am God.”
The second truism I have learned through these snow falls is that little things mean a lot. I’ve witnessed young people shoveling snow off the sidewalks of the elderly; of people sharing food with their neighbors; of medical professionals and personnel working through two shifts to make sure hospitals are fully staffed; and much more. In times of crisis, people come together to help each other.
The snow itself can teach how when little things come together great things can happen. Every snowflake is created unique and cannot be duplicated. Yet when trillions of individual snowflakes fall from the sky, it can literally bring a place like Manhattan to a standstill. So let us consider the example of the snowflake. When each one of us, as members of this church, join together to achieve a common task, we can do great things for God.
By the time this winter is over, I don’t know what the ultimate total of snowfall will be. I do know, however, this time of Lent allows us to pause and reflect on what is important in life and to ask for God’s help to clear way the clutter which prevents us from loving God more fully and reaching out to others in name of God’s love. Let’s keep things in perspective. Even when imprisoned by all this snow, we through our feeble attempts and struggles were able to clear our way out. Now let’s think of the grandeur of God’s grace as we move from Lent to Easter. It’s here we are reminded that God’s Eternal love cannot be imprisoned by death’s tomb. Through the resurrection, the chains of death are broken and God’s light and life are let loose in the world forever and ever.
Grace & Peace,
Gary
Friends:
As I write this column, I am looking out my window watching the snow melt. In the last month, we have had two significant snow falls. The first snow event happened during the weekend and we decided to cancel the Sunday worship service. The second snow fall also happened on the weekend, but we were able to worship together on Sunday since the snow would arrive later that day.
I’ve grasped a few meanings through these snow falls; the first one being our dislike of slowing down. We like to see ourselves as people on the go. “A rolling stone gathers no moss,” so goes the saying. Thus, our society itself is built on the principle of mobility, sudden influx, and adaptability. “Are you able to multi-task?” is a question of necessity asked at most job interviews.
No doubt we all understand the importance of getting things done and being efficient in the various endeavors to which we apply ourselves. Yet there are those who remind us of the importance of slowing down, of taking time to reflect on our lives and on what’s truly important in the grand scheme of things. I like the phrase, “Don’t just do something – stand there!” You see, we can see life’s deeper things when we give up our incessant need to be in motion. The psalmist of old echoed God’s voice in these words, “Be still and know that I am God.”
The second truism I have learned through these snow falls is that little things mean a lot. I’ve witnessed young people shoveling snow off the sidewalks of the elderly; of people sharing food with their neighbors; of medical professionals and personnel working through two shifts to make sure hospitals are fully staffed; and much more. In times of crisis, people come together to help each other.
The snow itself can teach how when little things come together great things can happen. Every snowflake is created unique and cannot be duplicated. Yet when trillions of individual snowflakes fall from the sky, it can literally bring a place like Manhattan to a standstill. So let us consider the example of the snowflake. When each one of us, as members of this church, join together to achieve a common task, we can do great things for God.
By the time this winter is over, I don’t know what the ultimate total of snowfall will be. I do know, however, this time of Lent allows us to pause and reflect on what is important in life and to ask for God’s help to clear way the clutter which prevents us from loving God more fully and reaching out to others in name of God’s love. Let’s keep things in perspective. Even when imprisoned by all this snow, we through our feeble attempts and struggles were able to clear our way out. Now let’s think of the grandeur of God’s grace as we move from Lent to Easter. It’s here we are reminded that God’s Eternal love cannot be imprisoned by death’s tomb. Through the resurrection, the chains of death are broken and God’s light and life are let loose in the world forever and ever.
Grace & Peace,
Gary
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