Moses had led the Children of Israel to the brink of entering the Promised Land. But God had said He would not be able to enter it. However, God, in His grace, took Moses up on a high mountain and showed him the whole land. He saw the Vision but was not able to enter. Today, we see the Vision! And then God, in His grace, would invite us to enter.

I remember my first year of playing little league football. It was like “wandering in the wilderness.” I remember the flutter kicks until you thought your stomach would burst. I remember the running. I remember how I didn’t even know how to get into a stance. I remember even having to be shown how to put on my pads. And I remember a coach that was right there with me from running the sprints to checking my gear. “Wandering in the wilderness”…but through it I learned and grew. As we “wander through the wilderness” during our lives of ministry with Jesus, just like with His ancient people God is with us to grow us into all we were meant to be as we “enter into a new land.” This is what we look at today as the Spirit of Christ would invite each of us to say boldly an joyfully, “Yes! I’m in!”

Does God have anything to say about politics? Our nation is in a time of great uncertainty. An upcoming election divides us between polarized political camps that struggle to have meaningful dialogue with one another.

When asked an impossible political question Jesus’ response amazes both sides, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17)

We can trust that as we face impossible questions and uncertainty in this unprecedented time, that God’s Word will also amaze and challenge us to respond in faithful and courageous ways.

Still another symptom of trauma is a feeling of hopelessness that lasts more than a few weeks. (Note: Hope is a belief that “things will get better sooner or later.”) How are you doing with this one? With all that is swirling around us, do you still believe that every day can be better than the last? While we can certainly experience the feeling of hopelessness attached to trauma, the truth is that there is a hope that will never fade; a certainty that tomorrow will be better that is grounded in God himself.

Yet another symptom of trauma is the feeling of helplessness and because of this, symptoms of anger, irritability, and aggressiveness. While these feelings may be there, the truth is that we are not powerless. Rather, what we do can and does make a difference through Him who controls all things. This is our focus today.

Another symptom of trauma is the high anxiety caused by a feeling that everything has spun “out of control” and there is only chaos and destruction in our world and lives and there is nothing we can do about it. While these feelings may be there, the truth is that nothing is out of control. God firmly remains in power over all things. None of this surprised Him. Today we focus on this truth. And what this means for our lives.

One symptom of trauma is feeling like no one is listening to you, that you have “lost your voice,” that you are all alone. While these feelings may be there, God is also there. We are not alone. Today we explore what this means. Today we explore how we can act on it.

Ponder by St Matthew Rocklin

Rest by St Matthew Rocklin

Stop- Finding Rest by St Matthew Rocklin