Community Pres Church Vacaville

This morning as I was posting on The Journey on Facebook, I ran across a post from a pastor friend of mine. It was just a few verses of Scripture from Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way... and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. As I read these words, I began to wonder about a few things. (By the way, I wonder a lot!) So, here are my wonderings. Please feel free to share your thoughts. 1. In 2020, where has my focus been? Where is my focus now? In other words, where am I spending my time and talents? 2. In a year of transitions and upheaval, where is my head focusing? Where is my heart focusing? 3. When trouble or bad news comes, how do I react to it? Do I respond or react? Please notice that last question because responding and reacting are two completely different ways to act. One is pure, unfiltered emotions; the other is paused and thought out. The sin filled me is reactionary. This is who I was and who I am trying not to be. The responder is who I try to be at all times. This requires me to still my thoughts and my heart and my focus. I can tell you that choosing to be still and know that God is God and I am not has made all the difference in my life. And, THAT led me to Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. God is still on the throne and that is where I will place my faith and my heart, mind, body & soul. That is my focus on this day. Praying the same for you! All things in His time, Kimberly L. Merrill Transitional Minister Community Presbyterian Church Vacaville, CA Isaiah 55:8-9