Rev. Roland’s Blog

A few of us staff members here at Valley Shepherd are in for some big changes in the near future. Pastor Tom is moving all the way over to Portland, Maine, with his wife Shannon. I am moving half of that distance to Kansas City to start going to seminary. I must say that generally I do quite well with worry. In fact, I generally am able to go with the flow and not really think about worry at all. But today, after a phone call with my parents, I realized that I am actually quite worried about the future. In two months or so, I will be moving to a state far from here. I will be living in a place I have never lived. I will be starting an education that is much more challenging than anything that I have experienced yet. I also must find a place to live and a place to work. This is not going to be easy, and as I think about it all, it feels like a huge weight is upon my shoulders. What am I supposed to do?
It is indeed a very scary time. But there is something that can help me, and can help you as well when you are faced with difficult times and decisions. God has told us that he will walk with us through everything we face. He has told us that he will love us no matter what. No, this doesn’t mean that we can just sit back and watch everything fall into place. We have to be willing to take action for our lives to succeed on the journey with God. But what it does mean is that God is there for us to walk with and to talk to along the journey. A passage of scripture that has become very dear to me over the last few years is that of Psalm 46. It states the following in the New Living Translation:

“1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! 4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. 5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. 6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! 7 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. 8 Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. 9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.”

This passage of scripture is so comforting to me, because firstly, it makes me realize that my problems, concerns, and/or worries are really nothing in comparison to the “earthquakes” which occur and when “mountains crumble into the sea” like it mentions in verse two. It also comforts me because I know that the God who is our refuge and strength during such catastrophes is also our refuge and strength during the times when we enter a new chapter in life like moving to Kansas City to start seminary. So take heart Valley Shepherd, and lean upon the strength of our God and King; be still and know that He is God!

Reverend Roland
Pastoral Intern