First Love : Kick the Darkness until it Bleeds Sunlight

I've gotta admit, I don't totally understand all that this line means, but it sounds cool. It's a phrase an old college friend used to say all the time. Only recently have I discovered their lyrics to a Bruce Cockburn song called "Lovers in a Dangerous Time." Keep this in mind while I share an observation and a couple of scriptures.

This past week I have heard about and heard from many people in our congregation who have been struggling recently with especially low, anxious, and depressing feelings. Some, fairly seriously. I'm so glad that some of these people have been reaching out for prayer and help. 

It's not uncommon for a good portion of our norther hemisphere society to feel lower than usual in January and February. The thrills of Christmas and New Years have faded, or conversely, their disappointment and pain still remain. Either way, by mid-January it's still Winter, in fact, we're not even a month into Winter (how bleak), ....it's still dark, ....and yes, we're still in a pandemic. These are hard times for many people. 

I'm so glad we took time this past fall to focus on considering and growing in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Perhaps this is even one of the reasons we're hearing about/from more people who now feel that much more courage to face their feelings and speak up and ask for prayer and help. This might be a good time for some of us, struggling or not, to flip through the book and workbook one more time. Perhaps there are some highlights to reflect on that could help you or help someone else. 

I wanted to write about emotional and mental health today for one reason: to ask you to check in on someone. 

Who can you think of in our church or community that you know has struggled with anxiety or depression before? Who do you know who faced a difficult holiday season or has recently had a hard circumstance unfold? Who do you know who seems to be doing just fine?

While some have spoken up about their struggle, there are others who beneath the surface are not in an easy time. 

Let's consider the Word:

As your pastors, Laura and I want to ask you to phone or text someone today. Please check in. It can be as simple as "hey, I was thinking of you and just wanted to see how you're feeling these days? I'd love to pray for you right now." 

Let's love in a dangerous time. 

Let's kick at the darkness until it bleeds daylight. 

Please check in on someone today. Could you do that right now?

Pastor Mike