Speechless

"For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end." - Hebrews 3:14

Dear Friends in Christ -

What kind of confidence do you have in Jesus? Is it enough?

"Enough for what?" you might ask.

Enough for whatever you are called to do, whatever is required of you.

This morning, a front-page article in the New York Times humbled me, left me speechless. The article was about the "faceless 50" - the brave few who volunteered to stay behind at the nuclear reactors in Japan to try to help prevent a deepening catastrophe. Though they know they could well die, these few are offering up their very lives for the good of the many.

In the midst of this catastrophe, we, too, are called to do something: to pray. After working at two of the most recent disaster sites in this country, I know that there are sometimes, though I wish to pray, I have no words. So today, as in past days at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, I reach for a Psalm, an ancient prayer with new meaning in the midst of this latest disaster:

Psalms 130
Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
O LORD, who could stand?

3 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.

4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.

5 My soul waits for the LORD,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.

6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
for with the LORD there is mercy;

7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Praying with you for "the faceless 50" and the other 450,000 people who are homeless in Japan this day,
Janet+