I Bought an Apple Today
Today seemed like a good day to start writing again. Learning how to pastor, parent, and live in a world which changes by the minute seems to be inspiring. So I will make an effort to get to share something most days, either from the keyboard or the camera. My hope is simply that in a world of social distancing, that one more little connection can make a difference.
Venturing out today, I went from store to store looking for a few needed items. At the three stores I visited, amid all the empty shelves, I noticed a consistent pattern. The produce sections were well stocked. I'm no expert, but I'll pretend and share a few reasons I think that is.First, it's no good hoarding broccoli. I mean the kids probably won't eat it anyway, and even if they did, they can only eat so much before it goes bad. Produce just doesn't last. And I think there is something pretty cool about that. Produce pushes us to trust.In Exodus, God gave the people the ultimate perishable good. The manna appeared every morning and would rot if you kept it overnight. (except Friday night...oh those magical Friday nights)God told the people not to try to save any most days, but on Fridays to gather twice as much and save it for Saturday with a promise. It wouldn't rot Friday night, and there would be none on the ground Saturday morning. Naturally, the people of Israel tried to save some every day...it rotted. And they went out to try to find some on Saturday...with no success.
"How long will you refuse to keep my commands and instructions?"Exodus 16:28 CSB
With produce, we have to keep going back. If you want a salad, you need to get your veggies fresh, it's no good going to last month's purchase. Produce reminds us that things come and go, nothing lasts forever.The second reason the produce section probably stays full is that the trees haven't quit. I bought an apple today. As I looked at the shiny red shape in my hand that the trees don't care about a virus. I noticed the other day that all the eggs and milk were gone. The next day, more eggs and milk. Apparently, the cows and chickens didn't get the memo either.There is some comfort in simply remembering that the trees go on. Whether or not a farmer shows up tomorrow, the tree keeps doing what the tree does.I am learning to live with uncertainty. But more than that, I am learning to see the certainty in the midst of it. I had to preach to a mostly empty room yesterday as we used the internet to transmit the church service to the church outside the building. You know what I know though? The church, like the tree, is going to keep doing what the church does.We will keep growing in our faith. We will keep meeting, even if it is in smaller groups. We will serve one another in love. We will serve our communities sacrificially. We are and will be the church of Jesus Christ even when the pastor is on-screen rather than on-site.Sure, things will change. Every church I know is working to learn how to care best for others at this time. But they still remain the church. In many ways, I am actually excited to see how God can use this time to transform us to be even more his hands and feet during this time.I bought an apple today because trees don't quit. I am excited for this time in the church because neither does Jesus.Shaun