I received some good news about my job today. I'm just grateful to have a job in the first place, but it's nice to know my contributions are valued and are making a difference. It made me realize how starved for good news I've been.

I've gotten used to bad news. In my extended family. In my community, state, country, and world. It's been relentless. And it's taken a toll.

So it makes good news all the sweeter.

There's another kind of Good News that has the power to dispel all the bad news if we'll let it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The word gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term god-spell, which means “good story.” The Good News is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He has overcome the world. In a way we will never fully comprehend, He has taken upon Himself the sins, sorrows, and pains of the world, making it possible for us to be with and like Him someday.

And because of Him, it is also possible for us to find relief and comfort even in the midst of our suffering in this life.

There's more to it than that, but that's the overarching message. It's a message of hope, love, and healing. And it is endless.

So even if there is a dearth of good news in our personal life, family, community, state, country, or world, we can always turn our thoughts and our focus to the Good News of Jesus Christ. We can turn our hearts to God and find refuge and peace in Him. We can trust that He has the power to mend what is broken, restore what has been lost, compensate for what is lacking, heal what has been wounded. He always keeps His promises. We can trust His plan and His timing.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)

“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I've never heard better news than this.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 144) #faith #Lent #Christianity

Occasionally I listen to a podcast called “The God Minute”. These are daily prayer and meditation programs that last 10-15 minutes. They are a wonderful way to help me focus on God and on sacred things. And they often feature wonderfully curated, beautiful music that draws your thoughts heavenward. One of the songs from today's podcast caught my attention.

The song is called “On the Nature of Daylight” and is performed by VOCES8 on their album “Nightfall” released in 2024. VOCES8 is an a capella octet from England and their music is, in a word, divine.

I decided to listen to the entire album today while I worked. And then I listened to two more of their albums!

But the song that brought me to tears is from that same album “Nightfall” and is called “Even When He Is Silent” by Kim André Arnesen.

Here are the lyrics:

I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining I believe in love, even when I feel it not I believe in God, even when He is silent

Here is the recording by VOCES8:

And here is a beautiful performance of the piece by St. Olaf Choir:

This song was a desperately needed lifeline for me – a timely gift from a loving God. It resonated with me on a deeply personal level and expresses my current spiritual, mental, and emotional state better than words ever could.

The description of the St. Olaf Choir video says the text of the lyrics was found in a concentration camp after World War II. I wanted to know more about that, and a web search revealed many different stories and explanations for the text's origin. But I found a blog post that seems well-researched and says the original text – somewhat different from the lyrics of the song – was likely found in Cologne, scratched on the wall of an underground passageway that likely served as a refuge from the Gestapo.

I believe in the sun, though it be dark; I believe in God, though He be silent; I believe in neighborly love, though it be unable to reveal itself.

Whatever the circumstances or origins, the words and music are profound and moving. And exactly what I needed today.

I daresay it's also what the world needs today.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 143) #faith #Lent #Christianity #music

I didn't sleep well last night. My first church meeting was at 7am this morning and it was another busy day. I also had to take allergy medicine, which always makes me feel tired. Needless to say, I'm running on fumes a couple hours before my normal bedtime.

I have good moments on these busy Sundays, but I spend much of the day feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. I also feel hypocritical. Like I'm putting on a show when a battle is raging inside me. I'm as conflicted as ever.

I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up appearances. Should I ask to be released from my calling while I focus on figuring things out? Or should I hang on and trust that things will get better?

I'm just tired. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

But I know I'm not the first to feel this way. I also know that there is One who knows exactly what I'm experiencing because He also experienced it on my behalf. Jesus Christ has been the one unfailing constant through all of this turmoil. I may feel like I'm going to sink beneath the waves any moment, but I know that as long as I do my best to keep my gaze focused on Him and follow Him, He won't let me drown.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 142) #faith #Lent #Christianity