Do you like riding roller coasters? It’s been a while, but when we lived in Houston, Texas, we spent a lot of time at an amusement park with our two kids. They loved roller coasters and so did I. Over and over again we rode high and low, slowing down as we would near the top and pitching forward in a race to the bottom.
On April 9, I received an email that the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) was nearing 2,000 registrations for the LWML Convention in Lexington, in June. Until further notice, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the state of Kentucky has limited attendance for us to 2,000 attendees. Thoughts and questions filled my mind. What do we do? We don’t want to disappoint anyone interested in attending! We must allow all delegates to register. Have all our speakers and special guests registered? Hard decisions intermingle with thoughts of insecurity. It’s another challenge to pray about; another reason to seek our Lord’s counsel.
I feel like the whole world has been on a roller coaster of feelings, decisions, and uncertainty — and this surely has not been a ride we asked for or wanted. COVID-19 has heightened the stress level of the whole country. Through it all, Jesus rides the roller coaster with us. I can’t even imagine surviving each day without the certainty of faith.
It’s easy to blame COVID -19 for our problems, and it’s sometimes difficult to continue “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus” (our theme for this convention), but through all the highs and lows of this life, our Lord remains constant and in control. I believe Jesus holds us tight in difficult situations and celebrates with us on the mountain tops. I also know that one of the great gifts He has given us is each other — our sisters and brothers in Christ. You all keep me accountable and encouraged. Thank you!
I have been lying awake at night, asking God what He would like me to learn from this new challenge and how others will be served and hear His message of salvation. I ask the Lord to show me how situations that I may see as roadblocks, now may open new opportunities to share His message. Stay tuned, because I have every confidence that He will lead the LWML and me as we continue to focus on serving the risen Savior!
Please pray boldly for this convention that Jesus is the reason for what we do and how we live. Whether you are able to come to Lexington or plan to participate via livestream with your local groups, we will strive to honor our Lord and Savior.
Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie
