Amy Kelley, Dir. of Program Ministries, Gethsemane

Micah 7:7-8
But as for me, I will look to the Lord,
    I will wait for the God of my salvation;
    my God will hear me.

8 Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy;
    when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
    the Lord will be a light to me.

Reflection:
Have you ever felt like you were standing in the middle of a hurricane? Frozen, terrified at the chaos and destruction? Or maybe standing in the middle of a kid’s birthday party of 15 as they play, argue, and run through the house? I often do. There is a scene in a show I binged watched where one of my favorite characters, the protagonist, is standing in a calm panic, amidst battle chaos. He’s watching warring kingdoms fight and try to destroy each other. He knows this is wrong. He knows that people should come together for the greater good. He begins to fight too but soon realizes this will not solve anything. He commands his men to fall back. He realized that he needed to stay true to his purpose in this world, no matter how hard it was. We are all called to that purpose…to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)

There have been so many moments when I have stood frozen in the last couple of months. I am floored at the vitriol, hate, and untruths that have poured out of the mouths of God’s children. I admit, it is easy to get sucked into that behavior sometimes. I have fallen into bouts of depression watching my friends argue about safety protocols for handling Covid-19 or tear each other apart about decisions made by elected officials. There is a difference between debating conversation and full-on, hate-filled fighting. Yes, God created us uniquely different from one another. BUT, we are ALL God’s children. Family.

In the Book of Micah, he warns the leaders, people, and even some corrupt prophets of God’s wrath that will come if they don’t get it together. Micah, a prophet speaking on God’s behalf, calls out the piling up of riches, the selfishness, the haters, the liars. Micah was calling “a thing a thing,” as my family often says. He was speaking truth. But Micah also spoke words of hope.

Two of my favorite verses of all time are Micah 7:7-8. This scripture reminds me that I do not have to take part in the chaos that sin creates. I can wait on the Lord. I can pray, and not gloat, over my enemies. I can speak kindly. I will fall. I may be put through the wringer. I may be in darkness.

But I can fall back and center because God is my hope. My center. My light.

Closing Prayer:
God, there’s so much chaos around us. I am thankful that you created us so uniquely. But at the same time, it’s a challenge. Help me to fall back when arguments erupt. Help me to re-center when the winds of chaos throw me around. Help me to see the light amidst the darkness. My hope is in You, God. Humbly, Amen.