Dear Harpeth Hills Family,

Do you feel like you are being tested? It is certainly easy to feel that way with all that is going on in the world today. There is little of our lives that has not been impacted by the pandemic. Today’s new normal is nothing like the normal that we had until March of this year. Home life, school life, work life, church life, to life in general have all been affected. Dealing with this stress can be a challenge to manage, especially if we do not keep our eyes on the prize before us.

Consider the testing of Job. Job refused the advice of his friends to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9), as he suffered through unimaginable tragedies while remaining faithful; and “the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.” (Job 42:12) Think about how long Noah and his family were on a boat crowded with animals of all kind. Yet, they did not abandon ship but kept their faith. How about the testing of the early disciples? Paul told the Christians at Philippi, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Life is short. God only knows how long this pandemic will last. Consider how Job responded to his testing, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” (Job 19:25) Through all that Job suffered, he laid claim to the assurance of eventually being with his redeemer. May we be as faithful.

We are reminded of the lyrics of this song.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.
In the light of His glory and grace.”

Be safe and be blessed.

We love you.

Your Shepherds