Friday, June 2, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Psalm 98

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.

Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy

at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (NRSV)

Reflection
Let’s be honest: not many of us like to try something new. Change is scary and we have cooked up plenty of excuses to not engage with it. The real reason many of us resist trying something new is fear.

Ironically it’s not fear of a bad result. It’s the unknown that we fear most. Trying something new or embracing change is frightening, because by definition it’s unfamiliar. But think about it: most of the things we fear do not actually come to pass.

What’s more, when we avoid change, we risk depriving ourselves of the good that occurs with newness. Trying something new is good for us — and it’s proven by science! When we embrace change or venture into newness, dopamine pathways open in our brains, which makes us feel good, feel happy.

We all fear change and newness, but as Christians it does us good to remember that God is not interested in the same old, same old. The way things have been in the past might feel nice, but God is only interested in carrying us forward, not keeping us in the present. In Psalm 98, the psalmist exhorts us to sing a new song to God. We sing a new song because God has done something new in our lives. And God is doing something new with Fourth Church today.

We are entering a time of change and newness at Fourth Church during our pastoral transition, and frankly, it feels uncertain. What if my experience of church changes? What if the things I like about church shift? What if we start doing something different or new or unfamiliar?

It’s terrifying, I get it. And yet God is not interested in keeping things the same. God is always doing something new: from Creation to Christ to the Christians gathered in Chicago.

And despite the unknown, I will sing a new song unto God, because even as life shifts and changes, God’s love and presence with us does not. Alleluia.

Prayer
O God, thank you for never leaving me as I am but bringing me into a newness and change. Even in my fear, help me to sing a new song, for you, O God, deserve my praise. Amen.

Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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