Just For a Moment: And Are We Yet Alive?
Lic. Tricia I. Thomas, Contributing Writer
Just for a moment, I would like for you to ponder with me the question: Are we yet alive?
Let us consider the earth around us: The cool breeze that gently persuades the grass to dance; The waters that ebb and flow; The sun that shines ever so brilliantly, providing, not only light, but hope with the dawning of each new day. As the hymn writer, Carl Boberg in 1885 wrote, “When I, in awesome wonder, consider all…Thy hands have made,” I am reminded that it is only by the grace of God that I am living to see another day.
My sisters and brothers, today, we stand together in the middle of 2021, gazing at what appears to be the light at the end of the tunnel of this global pandemic that has attempted to turn our lives upside down. Yet and still, as we prepare to enter back into the world as we once knew it and adjust to a new normality, we are all tasked with the mission of Kingdom Building in new and innovative ways. This is our assignment. As such, before we can continue our journey, we must pause to reflect on and redirect our focus. We must assess who it is that we are aiming to please. An old friend once said, “The quickest way to failure is trying to please everyone.” Likewise, Paul, in his letter to the churches of Galatia reminds us that if all we do is live to please people, we will fail to be true servants of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 TPT)
As humans, oftentimes we lose sight of our purpose. We lose sight of our mission. We lose sight of who we were called to be in Christ Jesus. But friends, I am so glad that we have the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us when we have fallen astray. As we work together to continue in love, building the Kingdom of God, we must never forget who it is that we are living for. In these unprecedented times that we live in, we were forced to think outside of the building. We were all reminded that although the physical doors of the church were closed, the spiritual gates of the church have always been open. Friends, as we prepare to return to the edifice of the church, I pray that we keep the same energy we had throughout the pandemic.
Isaiah 43:19 declares, “Behold, I am doing a new thing!” (NIV) I submit that the church today can be likened to the transformative metamorphosis of a butterfly. Bishop Richard Allen laid the foundation and metaphorical eggs that birthed our great denomination, the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We have fed for hundreds of years and expanded our ministries and grown. And now, my sisters and brothers, I believe that this pandemic served as a chrysalis stage. We were shut up in our cocoons for over a year now. As we prepare for a great transition into butterflies. As we prepare to enter back into this brave new world. As we work together to navigate the nuances of life after the pandemic, we must not lose focus. As we consider the world around us, we are reminded, yes, we are alive and each day was prepared for and gifted to us by God.
Philippians 1: 21-22 states, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor to me.” (NIV) The message translation says “Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.” (MSG) God has given each of us fruit, a gift. How will you use your gift once the physical doors open? We must be fruitful in the aftermath of the pandemic if we intend to continue our mission in kingdom building and serving the present age. Our work must be intentional and purposeful with our fruit. To be alive is to be aligned with and walking in the will of Jesus. And so, friends, my question to you is, who are you living for?
Lic. Tricia I. Thomas is currently a member of Saint Mark AMEC in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She serves as the local 2nd Vice President for the Alice Petty Lawrence WMS at St. Mark and the District Assistant Recording Secretary for the 2nd Episcopal District RAYAC. She currently attends Old Dominion University in pursuit of her Master of Arts in English Literature and Theory.
Lic. Thomas is the Founder and Director of Teach One Reach One, a non-profit organization that aims to enlighten, empower, and enrich urban communities through seminars, scholarships, and success programs. She is the proud mother of Bella, who is the sunshine of her life.
