2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now
it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He
anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit
in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)
Throughout this pandemic,
I have been collecting British stamps. I am doing this for two reasons:
firstly, I’m gathering them in several albums to give to my grandson in years
to come. I hope he appreciates the stamps as something that I personally put
together for him during a time of crisis. Secondly, I needed something in the
evening to take me away from the television and my obsession with the news. I
was becoming overwhelmed and depressed with the situation which was affecting
my faith and relationships. I thought that if I did something quietly and
peacefully it would bring down my levels of anxiety and distress. It worked.
I rediscovered my boyhood
joy of collecting stamps. The colors, the artistry, and the events depicted on
the stamps – all brought back memories from my childhood and remembrances of
historic celebrations and commemorations. It helped me to escape from the
pressures of the present pandemic into a past world that I cherished. It has
been a wonderful godsend to me and has kept me balanced, focused, and
determined to get through this critical time.
Stamps are really postal
seals that are used by us to guarantee that a letter or package will be
successfully sent from one place to another. Most of the stamps that I have
collected have been purchased online from all over the world. It has been
delightful to receive letters from folks on the other side of the planet who
share this wonderful hobby. I’ve also realized that the stamps I collect have
their own individual stories of messages and packages, letters and notes sent by
people years ago. It’s amazing to think that something which began its journey
in someone else’s life has ended up in an album that I will pass on to my
grandson.
When I read today’s Bible
verses, I was reminded of the seal of ownership – the stamp of approval, if you
like – which God gives to us through Jesus. And with the Spirit’s blessing
within our hearts, we are guaranteed a better and brighter future to come. I
like that idea, especially during this pandemic. It gives me hope for the years
to come and peace throughout this present time.
Q: What have I done
during this pandemic to sustain me and bring me peace?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You
are the greatest gift in our earthly lives and by God’s seal, we are stamped
with Your love, grace, and approval. Help us throughout this present crisis and
enable us to discover new or old ways to find hope, peace, and love. In Your
Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor
of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and see what’s
happening at the church by visiting our website at www.erinpres.org.
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