Living Wisely By Posted January 4, 2021 In Featured, Pastor Jeff's Blog Living Wisely2021-01-042021-01-04https://popmn.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/popmn-logo-love-god.pngPrince of Peace Lutheran Churchhttps://popmn.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/popmn-logo-love-god.png200px200px 2 Tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures…. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. – Proverbs 2:2-4, 9-10 At a time when it doesn’t seem that we can agree about anything, perhaps we can all agree about this: 2020 was a really difficult year. We’re all glad that it’s behind us and we’d just as soon forget it. But before we do let me ask you, what did you learn from it? Truth is, tough times are our best teachers. We rarely learn deep truths in good times. So, before you toss 2020 into the “Good Riddance” bin, spend some time reflecting on what you learned. I’ve asked dozens of people in the last few months what they learned. Here is some of what they shared with me: “Less busyness gave me time for self-reflection, reading and quality time with the people who matter most. I want to be careful about how I fill my calendar as move back into a new ‘normal’”. “I learned that it’s OK to not be OK. There were days when I felt angry, sad and afraid. Initially I was ashamed of those feelings but talking about them honestly with a trusted friend taught me that they’re just feelings. They won’t last forever.” “I’m more resilient than I thought. I learned to take life one day at a time, and each day I found that I had what I needed…just for that day.” Reflecting and learning from the past, and then applying what you learned to how you’ll live into the future is called wisdom. So, what did you learn during the dumpster fire known as 2020? And how will you apply it to the way you’ll live in 2021? Invite the Holy Spirit into a time of reflection before 2020 is a (blessedly) distant memory. And then, leave a comment so that we can all learn from your wisdom! Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy and wise New Year! Jeff Marian serves as lead pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN popmn Recent PostsPrince of Peace Welcomes Pastor Sarah FikeSpecial Congregational Meeting (8/24 & 8/25): Letter of Call for Associate Pastor of Spiritual FormationPrince of Peace Welcomes Adam Giebner as Choir DirectorTanzania Mission Trip: Friday (7/19) Update Showing 2 comments Linda Torgerson January 7, 2021 I am wondering when you plan to open up the church for service(s) again as many of our neighboring churches are doing so by following the guidelines set Up by the Governor. Is it just the churches affiliated with the ELCA that are closed. Hosanna has been open quite awhile following the guidelines set up by the Governor, but they are no longer affiliated with ELCA. Liz Ridpath January 7, 2021 Hi Linda, Our plan created by Jeff Marian, Jane Victorey and our Board of Directors, outlined here – https://popmn.org/campus-closure-announcement-for-worship-student-ministry/ – is to reopen for worship and student ministry when the 14-day case rate in Dakota county is below 30.0 for 2 consecutive weeks. The newest number that came out today is down to 48.78. We’re hoping that this trend continues so that we can reopen again soon.