Stir it up Lord!

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Third Sunday of Advent BCP 212)

Sorely hindered. Check. In need of help. Check. In need of mercy. Check. This has been a hard year. Instead of settling into a reliable pattern, this year has shifted and moved and confused us all. It is almost as if someone did stir up us all up, and with any stirring, what was on top before has fallen, what was on the bottom before has come to the top, and generally everything is different now. I like this prayer, but praying it means that things will only change more, not less. When Jesus comes to stir the world, life definitely changes! 

Thankfully through any stirring, God continues working good for us. Throughout this year, this pandemic, these daily crises, God is still working in good ways for all of us. In our community, bonds of friendship have been strengthened, assistance has been asked for and given, faith has been renewed, because God never stops loving us and giving us good gifts. While we don't always recognize what happens in our lives as good, God works through us, through the community, and through the Holy Spirit for our good. No matter where we are, we can give thanks for all the goodness that God is stirring up in our midst.