Refuge

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Refuge’ as in… we have one…

The past several days have been deeply troubling on so many levels. The death of George Floyd on Monday, May 25, 2020 by Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin has sent a(nother) massive tremor through the human community.

I’ve seen things that people have done that have triggered significant anger within me. I’ve heard things that people have said that have made me shake my head and fists in utter frustration and disbelief. I’ve wanted to respond to the deeply troubling images of hatred and violence, but haven’t had the faintest idea where to begin.

Welcome to the human condition, right?

As it turns out, all of that is a remarkably common experience for the whole human family. There are times in life when our words simply fail. Yet, it’s precisely in those moments that the ancient book of Psalms speaks most clearly into our silence. Over the past several days Psalm 46 has given me words when mine fail.

This is our prayer together…

“Gracious God, you are a safe place to hide. You are our refuge and strength, ready to help when we need you; a very present help in trouble. So we stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in the sea-storm of violence and unrest.

There is a river whose streams create gladness as they flow into your city, O God – as they flow into your holy habitation. And God, contrary to what it seems like, you are in the midst of the cit. And ultimately  it shall not be moved. You will help it when the new morning dawns. The nations—the people are in an uproar, the kingdoms—the neighborhoods  totter. But you, O God, speak and we hear your voice reminding us of the call to be still and know that you are God; that you are lifted up among the nations, that you are lifted up in the earth, that you, great LORD of Hosts are with us.

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Rebekah, Sarah and Rachel, you are our refuge.”

Let all the people of God say “Amen!”

#100days50words

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where be blogs about a different word each day. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche), or on his blog, Thriving Rhythms.