Being Transformed and Renewed

In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, Perry Hall (a former member now living in Charleston, SC) and I made the long drive down I-95 to the city of Homestead, FL. We had supplies of bottled water, food, and other items stuffed in the rear of my pick-up truck to deliver to three different congregations, First Presbyterian, St. John’s Episcopal, and a Community Non-Denominational Church. I will never forget crossing the bridge into Homestead. In my many years of travel and experience, I had never seen anything like it. The scene reminded me of photographs from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Andrew was labeled as a Category 5 hurricane when it slammed into the Florida coast, Homestead was flattened.

Perry and I drove through the streets in complete silence. We noticed where residents had spray painted their names and contact information on the side of their homes and apartment buildings, at least those that were still standing. Because the places where they worked no longer existed, thousands of residents were forced to relocate to other areas of Florida and even out-of-state.

The pastor who served First Presbyterian had moved, along with his family, into the church’s office space. Their residence was so badly damaged it was uninhabitable. The day school at St. John’s Episcopal was up and running. As the rector escorted Perry and I around the campus, we walked over and around debris still scattered around the campus and marveled at the infectious smiles on the faces of the children. The Community Church had suffered severe damage. The roof and chancel area of the sanctuary still existed, but everything else (and I mean everything) had been blown to smithereens. The church leadership had done their work well. There was enough insurance to rebuild. The problem they faced, however, is that over 50% of the congregation no longer resided in Homestead.

Before it was all said and done, Homestead recovered from Hurricane Andrew but the memory of the vicious storm remains very much a part of the public conscience. The Homestead Air Force Base was closed in addition to many local businesses that had met the needs of the community for so many years. There was sadness in the air, but one of the things that really impressed me about the people I met in Homestead was their resilient spirit and hope for the future. The people who were able to stay in the city had smiles on their faces as they tackled their daily commitments and obligations. It took a while for the community to recover, but recover they did.

The New Testament lesson for Sunday is recorded in 1 Peter 1:3-9. In this section, Peter talks about how God has given us a new birth and a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A new birth means that in Christ we are different than the old self. We look at things differently, think differently, speak and live differently. We are transformed and constantly reformed. Living hope conveys to us that whatever comes our way, in Christ we are able to adapt and adjust in the faith that this is God’s world, that God intends good for what he has created, and that in the end, in Christ all shall be well.

As I mentioned yesterday, there are a lot of mixed messages in the public square about when and how the economy will be reopened. On a personal note, I’ve been asked twice today when we as a congregation might be able to gather again for Sunday morning worship. Good question. My answer is we are committed to doing it the right way when it is the right time. Based on the guidance of our public health officials, medical professionals, government agencies and civic leaders, the Session Council will determine when it is the right time and the Session Council will determine the right way. The last thing we want to do is to make a mistake.

So, as the days pass by (13 more days left in April), let us give a good example of the new birth and living hope that we have in Jesus Christ. May we demonstrate a resilient spirit. May we keep a smile on our face. May we keep busy with our daily commitments and obligations and may we not forget to laugh every once in a while in the faith and conviction that “God is actively at work among us for our good and our salvation; he is not passive, God is present and personal; he is not remote. God is totally involved in the cosmos; he is not indifferent.” (Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson, page 69)

For tomorrow, please check your email. You will receive the Sunday morning bulletin for the 1st Sunday after Easter (April 19) and an updated Pastoral Care Joys and Concerns. As a reminder, the Sunday morning worship service will be available before 10 o’clock Sunday morning via the Sea Island Website, YouTube and Facebook. May the Lord God bless and keep every one of you, your family, loved ones and friends. Stay safe! Stay well! Have a great weekend! In Christ. +

—
Steve Keeler, Pastor