Sunday is the best day of the week. Every Sunday, I bounce out of bed and cannot wait to come to Racine Bible Church to see all of you, praise our risen Savior, and open God’s Word together.
But not yesterday. Yesterday was the strangest Sunday I can remember. When I came in to church for the live stream yesterday, I was unsure and uncomfortable.
I didn’t really know what to expect. I just knew that I missed seeing everyone. I was pretty sure that the empty room with a camera and lights would feel hollow.
But when I started the service by reading Psalm 103, things seemed to shift.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy …
As I read those words, and looked out at the room, all of those empty chairs didn’t seem so empty.
I know where you usually sit. And I quickly began to picture you. And how he has forgiven you. And how he has healed you and redeemed you.
When I got to these next verses in the Psalm, I was overwhelmed. I could feel the tears in my eyes.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…
As I read those words I thought about you. The Sundays come and go and we always think we’ve got another one coming up soon. But our days really are like grass that the wind passes over. They are gone before we know it.
Our time together here is so short. Our relationships with each other are so precious. I want you to know that I love you. God is faithful. I am praying for you.
- Spencer