Finding solace in the Scriptures during these days of uncertainty

I don’t pretend to be a Bible thumper. You know, one of those guys who hits you across the face in everyday life with a verse or lesson from memory to address the situation du jour.

I do, however, turn to the Scriptures when times are hard, when I just don’t have the answers to the challenges that confront me on my journey. Seems like those hard times are a daily, if not hourly, occurrence these days.

I wish I had the discipline to dive into the Word as part of my daily routine. I always seem to have something more important to confront with my time. Even nagging guilt can’t motivate my devotionals.

When I do reach for the Scriptures, it is in desperation for guidance that I just don’t have.

Let me interrupt my train of thought to apologize to those of you who are more secular in your beliefs and want to see me take on the business of the town and county politics, or the banning of guns at Town Council meetings, or closing West Street for Halloween, or the water/sewer silliness.

As an explanation for temporary insanity, I have recently been challenged by my muse to document my faith walk. I am sure I will be allowed to return to the more mundane activities of partisan discourse in the near future, but for now I have a calling — so please bear with me and hear me out.

It just might make a difference. 

I am really not comfortable writing on my faith; after all, the one thing I seem to be good at is ignoring the good counsel of the Scriptures and finding my own truth. But somehow in the last few months, with medical issues of my age, the ups and downs of new and old relationships, and the economic challenges of the business, I find myself looking for hope and solace that the Scriptures has offered me in the past. So I turn to the Bible, not so much for answers, as comfort.

In that vein, in doing the research for a meditation that I was privileged to give at my church’s healing service, I found the following verses in Revelation 21, 3-4: “They will be His people, and God himself will be with them, and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This verse gives me hope. Hope in our world, our nation and our community. Hope that things will be better for all peoples. Hope that we can each see how to make a difference. Not for the gains of this political party or another … not for the rhetoric of ideology, not even for the glory of His church, but simply make a difference in the lives of God’s people … whatever their beliefs, nationality, immigration status, criminal record or economic status.

These hard times are just that ... times. And times do pass. Times will get better. We will be stronger for having lived through these times and for having made a difference.

The old order is passing away all around us. We see the changes on a daily basis. We can each make a positive change in our personal space. What politicians do or don’t do is certainly important, but each of us can make more of an impact if we just stop and look around and see what needs to be done to make a better life for those around us ... right here, right now.

No matter your station in life, you can make a difference where you are. Start with a simple smile. And make a difference, today.

Meriwether’s column runs every other Thursday on the editorial page.