The last couple of weeks around Mount Zion have been … well, can we say, a slight bit chaotic.  The entirety of the office space and fellowship area, received new carpet and the kitchen area and hallways received new tile.  (All this was provided for and graciously given by the Women of the ELCA of Mount Zion.)  This project meant that all furniture had to be removed from the building.  And, since this was being done, why not paint?  So, all things were removed from the offices including all things removed from the walls in order paint. 

I have always considered myself a kind of “go with the flow” kind of guy.  And, for the most part, I tend to live this motto.  Hey, I was once a Jr. High and High School Art teacher.  You better learn to not let much bother you in order to keep the course.  So, as staff,  we did our best to do just that; to keep the course as item after item left the building.  As I write this, I am just beginning to move into a new office space and all my “stuff” is somewhere in other buildings.

This whole adventure in remodeling really stressed me out.  During the days of “no office space” and trying to do our best as a band of nomads wandering the deserts of a deserted building, there was a sense at times, of being lost.  I would get up from my computer, which I set up in the narthex of the church, and go over to the temporary space Rhonda had set up to accomplish her tasks, get to her and have no idea why I was there, or would get there only to discover that what I sought wasn’t there at all.  There was a sense of anxiety and unease.  What was the cause of this anxiousness and lack of ease?  The simple answer was,  I didn’t have my desk!!  I didn’t have a base of operations.  I didn’t have a place to go to that offered comfort and security.   I learned that my desk is my security blanket.

As I now sit at my desk and write these thoughts, I feel much more at ease and feel much more able to go with the flow.  In order to “go with the flow” we all need some sort of base, an anchor, to operate from.  I know that in my life, this base, this firm foundation, this anchor is our Risen Lord.  As I came into my “bare” office, (with little more than my desk!) there was the stock market worries, the political uncertainties, traffic problems, etc. and as important as this is, I still am able to stay the course because I have a base of operations which is this powerful love that God showers on me in the midst of the chaos.  This is our base.  This is the core and center of life.  And this truth, my brothers and sisters will not be moved.

How many of our neighbors and friends don’t have a “desk” to operate from?  How many of our own family members don’t know that there is a solid foundation to anchor our lives in as the waves of change and waves of chaos continually swamp our lives?  How many people in our day to day living need to hear this good news of Christ’s continual coming?   How many of our friends, neighbors and family can use words of reassurance that their “base of operations” is a love of God that comes to us each and everyday in grace?  This are words that everyone needs to hear. 

The Lord Jesus loves you and this will never change.

In Christ’s love and service,  Pastor Dan       

Contact Pastor Dan at: pastor@mtzionelca.com