Protected by God

"You anoint my head with oil;" Psalm 23:5

I pray that you are well and that you are recovered from the effects of Hurricane Sandy last week. I know it could have been much worse for most of us and continues to be challenging for many people in New Jersey and New York. We are working on a plan of action for the support we can give in the coming months, but this Sunday the loose offering will go to Episcopal Relief and Development as they are already on the ground helping people.

In a culture where security and safety have become our primary goal and good, the events of this past week can shake us to the core. We can't control the forces of nature and even though we try to control our lives and keep ourselves and those we love safe from all harm and trouble, there are moments and times when it just isn't possible. Troubles come and sometimes the protection we have put in place and the safety we seek isn't always enough. Certainly we can learn and grow from these moments of difficulty, but most of us would rather not face them, thank you very much. Even those of us who are learning to trust in God more and more know that sometimes stuff happens.

Well, thankfully, we do not face our challenges alone and there is a level of protection that we don't always notice that comes to us by the love and the grace of God. There is a covering, a shield, that God places on our lives, like the oil that shepherds sometimes put on the eyes and ears of the sheep to protect them from insects and infection. The oil doesn't protect the sheep from everything, but provides important protection that keeps the sheep healthy. That's the kind of protection God gives to protect our souls and our lives ultimately.

When we anoint children or adults at baptisms, the chrism or christening part of the baptismal liturgy, we are anointing them with the protection of God from the power of sin and death and marking them as belonging to God, now and always. It seems an inconsequential symbolic act, but if you and I remembered more often the protection of forgiveness and life eternal, then the passing challenges and struggles of life would become what they really are - passing.

So remember that today and every day, God is watching over you, protecting you so that you may live without fear even when we go through the hurricanes of life. See you in Church on Sunday.

Grace and Peace,
WFA