Would anyone like to take a crack at re-writing the next line, the take-off of a familiar hymn? “Marching as to war” doesn’t quite work for me, even though there is truth to the notion that we are at war with this corona virus. As Easter people, we still follow Jesus’ cross into our worship, into our lives. As for the rest of this hymn, even though it is still a favorite among the “old guard”, its warfare terminology doesn’t resonate with younger generations. We still carry great hope for the future. In this 21^st century, it is more about what comes after the war. Putting it into our Christian vernacular, Christ has fought and won the battle for us. The paradox of our Christian life is that even though death has been conquered, we still live in the death of our sins. It is that “already, not yet.” As Easter people, I think our part is one of restoration. After we defeated the Japanese in World War II, we helped them restore their country. Our God is always in the restoration business. He asks us to help him “flip houses’ of pain and separation, renewing right spirits, broken homes, shattered, hopeless lives. These are our restoration projects. Showing them, pointing them to the Easter resurrection light. In this crazy future that we cannot comprehend or predict, we are understanding one thing: all the seemingly important, so-called “religious activities” do not matter so much to those who are seeking the risen Christ in the world. What does matter is connecting the message with them in a way that is relevant to their lives. In the blending of our stories with God’s, we seek a restorative narrative, because the world’s tectonic plates are always shifting. Characters in the story, we dream, are tempted, conflicted and heartsick. The world and even sometimes the church give us unexpected, even unwanted signals, messages. Together, I trust that we will write a new, revised narrative of how the resurrection of Jesus shapes our lives.

Our future in God through Christ Jesus is certain. We can march onward in confidence, knowing that our hope is founded in a risen, living Savior. His love for us is unconditional. Be joyful and at peace while staying well, dear ones.

Pastor Art