Dear Harpeth Hills Family,
About ten years ago a self-help guru coined the term LifeQuake to describe the personal, direct impact of major events that may be totally beyond our control. Although the word is a “made up” term, it is descriptive and evocative enough that you know exactly what is meant. Haven’t many of us experienced moments this year when we felt shaken and wondered if our very foundations were going to hold?
Where then is your “safe place”? Where can you go that you know will be strong and secure? Peter asked and answered that question in John 6:68 (ESV). Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Jesus wants to be our safe haven; he knows that it is only in Him that we can have the foundation that will withstand the storms of life. So that we wouldn’t forget, he gave us a memorable story that even very young children can understand:
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. Matt 7:24-27 (ESV)
If you were going to build a shelter to withstand an earthquake, you would want some strong recommendations, like these words from Paul, in Romans 8:38-39.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Your LifeQuake may feel manageable or it may be off the charts. While each person’s experience is different, there is only one solution – Jesus Christ. In Him, we find not only safety and security, but love, hope and grace. Jeremiah is someone who was very familiar with having his world shaken, but he also knew the security to be found in the Lord.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ Lam 3:22-24 (ESV)
Please know that the ministers and the elders at Harpeth stand with you. We cannot protect you from all the difficulties that will come your way. However, we do want to walk beside you and help anchor you in Jesus Christ. We love you.
Your Shepherds