Your Daily Meditation - March 31

Up until a few weeks ago, I was planning a special holiday in July, the main focus was Oberammergau.

“Since 1633 villagers promised to perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every tenth year, so that no one in their community would continue to die of the plague. The villagers were answered by God and in 1634, the first Passion Play took place. This promise of the local people had been kept until today.”

It is interesting, that the first time they have not been able to perform the play is because of COVID-19.

At the end of my tour I had planned 5 days in Poland mostly in the Krakow area. I wanted to explore and see what I have been reading about since booking my trip. The books I read were, in large, stories about the persecution of the Jews and their stories of suffering and survival.   I was profoundly moved by Schindler’s List, viewed years ago now. It is probably what caused me to extend this trip to include visiting some of these well known memorials. While reading this past year, I kept thinking and wondering how those who survived these horrors could possibly still have faith, during and after all they had been through.   They must have thought their God had forgotten them at times. No, I do not believe he had and I must believe that only the strength gained through their unfailing faith and trust could have allowed them to survive. We have that same promise, Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. What these people lived through was atrocious to say the least. There are not many alive now who suffered through this time but there are many whose lives were affected, in the years that followed.

Years ago, possibly during the renewal time in the Anglican church, I read all the books I could that were written by Corrie Tenboom, another survivor of the concentration camps. It was her faith that saved her. She trusted and believed!!! Which is I believe, exactly what we will do at this time, in our own lives, now, as we face this stressful time and unknown future. In the days during WW11, the living conditions were deplorable and in many parts of the world people had so little food and clean water, but often they had each other close by to hold and care for.

In these times, we are so thankful for the shelter most of us have, and supplies of food and clothing and for technology to communicate, what are we missing? The closeness of each other, because isolation is necessary. I find this is particularly hard, but for me when I reflect on what went on some 75-80 years ago, I know that I must look forward. This time that we spend alone gives us time to be still, to enjoy the quiet, to be thankful, so thankful that we live in this part of Canada. We have time...  

I found for the first week or so, that I wasted time, but now am becoming more conscious of that and seem to accomplish more. This “free” time can be considered a gift. It can be spent in prayer, reflection, reading and being still.... And there is outside, in God’s creation where we can sit or go to enjoy silent walks if you are alone, or even if you walk with a partner. It is a time to use our God given senses and appreciate them! Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are — high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean — nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us. Romans 8:38,39  

Peace, 

Lynda Clifford