Namaste from 2020 to 2021

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 What a year 2020 has been. Know that amid all of the things we would like to forget, there is much to remember. A year that started off with jokes about perfect vision and seeing into the future blindsided us with crises beyond imagining, and God was there. 

 

Who knew we would become unwilling experts in technologies and online video meetings? Yet this seems so small compared to what those who are isolated in nursing homes, or who were already facing health challenges have endured. Amid the panic and pain we couldn’t foresee, God was there.

 

And then, when things seemed intolerable, the Namaste broke through. God always, always finds a way to break into our lives reminding us of the joy of connectedness with one another and with God – a connectedness that can never be broken that isn’t dependent upon face-to face, physical presence. A presence that supersedes our limitations.

 

This blessed namaste is us seeing God in and through each other – shining out at us through others’ eyes. Namaste – “The God in me sees the God in you.” We see God in those who continue to strive to bring us worship in a parking lot, in the cold, in our homes – no matter what foibles or glitches pop up – they continue to show up to bring us together in praise. We see God in those who see this as an opportunity:

to work in a garden together, to make building improvements, to teach new things in new ways, to call our hand in being more creative about what fellowship means, to challenge and study who we are, to remember old traditions and to start new.

 

Yes, we see God in all those people. We see God in parents and children. We see God in scientists, nurses, doctors, first responders, teachers, but we also see God in garbage collectors, grocery clerks, wait staff, delivery people. The lists go on – this year, this year that has been oh so dreadful has also been filled with joy. Joy of knowing we are in relationship with God.

 

God is here in a deep unfathomable relationship of trust and love where we see that love shining out through the eyes of all God’s children. May that love grow and buoy us up following a star into 2021.

 

In the still of the night under a guiding star, we venture on. Surrounded and filled by the peace of a Holy Night, the hope of God’s promise, the joy of new beginnings and the amazing vast love of God, we venture on for God is here. God is with us, each and every one. Carry this joy in your heart into the new year.

 

Namaste!

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