Sowing Tears and Seed

Psalm 126
When the LORD changed Zion's circumstances for the better, it was like we had been dreaming.
2Our mouths were suddenly filled with laughter; our tongues were filled with joyful shouts.
It was even said, at that time, among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them!"
3Yes, the LORD has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed.
4LORD, change our circumstances for the better, like dry streams in the desert waste!
5Let those who plant with tears reap the harvest with joyful shouts.
6Let those who go out, crying and carrying their seed,
come home with joyful shouts, carrying bales of grain!

Today’s reading in our Advent devotional book, Those Who Dream, invites us to contemplate Psalm 126 in word and in an abstract visual that depicts the ripples of the Negeb river flowing through parched desert land, the tears of the people’s pain sowed in exile and the seeds of new life sown when God restored their dreaming and their fortunes. This week we can see some glimmers of restoration in the midst of our pandemic exiles as the first vaccines are administered here in our country. Thanks Be to God!

Throughout these last nine months we have persevered in dreaming God’s dreams of justice and love and in “Being Church” as we came together:

• in livestream and prerecorded worship services
• in our online/virtual Alternative Giving Fair (raising over $15,000)
• in our virtual Sleepout and Drive-in Vigil for homelessness prevention (raising over $20,000)
• in our summer “Plymouth Gives” campaign (raising over $20,000 for Outreach and Mission, LaForet, 2020 pledge support)
• in our Zoom and online Christian Formation classes and curriculum for all ages and the outstanding Visiting Scholar Retreat Day
• in our continued connection with those in our Plymouth community who are most isolated or have had Covid-19, and
• in so many acts of sharing God’s love and justice that you perform each day that are not quantifiable or known to me or Hal or Carla.

Thank you!!! Thank you for continuing to “Be the Church!” even in the midst of all the pain and frustration and fear of our world. We may sow in tears, but we also reap in laughter, love and God’s abundance. Sowing the seeds of God’s presence in our world and reaping the reward of relationship is holy work for all seasons. It is particularly poignant during the darkness and waiting and preparation of Advent.

Many blessings as we keep on keeping on “Being the Church” and following Jesus on the Way.

With you on the journey,

P.S. There are many Christmastide events coming up! See them at plymouthucc.org/events.

Author

The Rev. Jane Anne Ferguson, Associate Minister, is a writer, storyteller, and contributor to Feasting on the Word, a popular biblical commentary. She is also the writer of sermon-stories.com, a lectionary-based story-commentary series. Read more