Light Enough for Each Step

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

            I’m writing this at my kitchen table today, as a snow storm has interrupted another Wednesday’s plans. I was out early to shovel the driveway and to help more than one neighbor get their cars unstuck in the alley. My kids are home with me, logged into their Google classrooms on their school-issued devices. From both weather and COVID, we’ve all gotten used to these last-minute pivots.

            Just two weeks ago, we made the difficult decision to cancel our “Christmas Quiet” worship service. I was looking forward to gathering with the Easter community for a time of quiet prayer before the festive celebrations of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was to be a service for acknowledging the sorrows, worries, and losses that we carry at this time of year and to remember Christ’s presence in the midst of it all. Christmas can be especially difficult when we’re going through a hard time, so it can be helpful to lean on one another and receive the support of our faith community.

            Although the snowy roads and parking lot prevented us from gathering on December 21, we are now making new plans for a similar service on Wednesday, January 25. The theme will be “Light Enough for Each Step.” It also will be a time for quiet prayer together, acknowledging personal struggles. The theme reminds us that even though we cannot see the end of our journeys, God accompanies us along the way. God gives us what we need in each moment, shining light on the path before us. At our service we will offer our communal and individual prayers, light candles, and—if you wish—receive anointing with oil and prayers for healing.

            I’ve learned to hold my plans loosely, but I hope you will mark your calendar for the service on the 25th. Remember that God is with you now on whatever journey you are traveling, no matter how many pivots, twists, and turns it takes. God will accompany and support you every step of the way.

Prayer:

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen