Letter: Good news for ‘shut-ins’

From: Pastor William Stache

Columbus

In this time of being encouraged to stay at home we may have a little idea of what it means to be a "shut-in" — someone who is incapable of handling the regular affairs of life. We all know of some relative who is in such a position. It’s almost like life is on hold, not being able to do much of anything.

Now we find ourselves in such a position in these days — hanging out around the house and trying to find things to do. It’s like we are the shut-ins of our day. After a while we run out of activities.

So what is there to say to comfort and encourage "shut-ins" as we are? We can "try to keep busy with something — playing games, watching movies, mowing the lawn, doing daily chores." But there isn’t much comfort in that.

There are many people whose life is on hold as it were. They are the elderly people stuck in nursing homes or in their own home. What is the good new for them? It seems to me that the good news for them or us in our "shut-in" situation must be the same.

It is the news that comes from the message of the cross and resurrection of Jesus. The ultimate loneliness came when Jesus was on the cross and cried out to His father "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

While it is our sin that made Him feel and experience a "shut-out" life, nevertheless the reason was that we should never have to feel shut off or forsaken by God. He always loves us and wan to be with us in a meaningful way possible.

The good news is that the love and the establishment of a loving relationship with God is meant to bring peace and joy to our lives. It is always the message that shut-ins need to hear and take to heart and it fits our "shut-in life" as well. Why would God abandon us after Jesus died and rose for us? If we give up on Him, it’s like His work during holy week would be wasted on us.

So in the midst of our "shut-in" life, we put our hope for peace and joy in what God wanted for us and accomplished for us in the death and resurrection of our precious Lord Jesus Christ. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will always bless us and comfort us with loving presence.