4th July 2020

Our Dear Brethren,

I don't know if you've noticed, but there is misery filling this world. There is sadness welling up in the hearts of the people who live in this world. God's people are not immune to this great sadness and anguish which is increasingly prevalent.

Today I was listening to one of the podcasts produced by the Home Office. This particular podcast is an interview with Peter Eddington, UCG's Media and Communications Services operation manager. In his work he receives a lot of feedback and questions from people who are seeking the truth. In this interview he discusses a deeply troubling topic: suicide. He also discusses depression and how it can affect people all over the world no matter who they are or where they are from.

Here is a link to the podcast if you would like to listen to it:

https://www.ucg.org/inside-united-podcast/inside-united-podcast-167-peter-eddington-help-for-the-brokenhearted-part-1

Although there are many in the world who suffer with depression, although we live in a difficult place (this world) during difficult times, although sometimes we look out and only see despair, we have a God who gives us comfort, who offers help and hope to the people of this world.

"Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:1-3).

Sometimes we question God's timing in His help for humanity. Why hasn't Jesus Christ returned already and taken away our pain? Why are there still so many who have broken hearts and deep pain in their inward parts? If God truly loved the people of this world, why do so many continue to suffer?

This is the doubt that comes with pain. This is the doubt that accompanies only being able to see what is right in front of us. This is the doubt that creeps into the hearts of those in pain.

"But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:8-9).

This pain that we feel, these feelings of incredible discouragement, the brokenness of the hearts of so many is very real. We cannot deny that fact. But we must maintain our calling to pass along hope to those who have such pain. And when we ourselves become so greatly discouraged we should remember that our God has many great and wonderful things for us to hope for. We should also know that we have one another, a loving family who's members suffer as we do, who can often relate to our pain.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

We have an opportunity and an obligation to reach out to one another. We have a chance to listen to the pain of others and provide a shoulder to cry on. Let's remember to continue to lift one another up, to cry with one another, to mourn with one another, and to hope with one another as we continue to endure these difficult days together.

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe