Pastor's Reflection 2026-05-21
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." — Psalm 23:1–3
After dodging it for more than six years, last Thursday (May 14), I tested positive for COVID-19 (or is it COVID-26 now?). For three days, I barely left my bed. The fever, the exhaustion, the chills, the heaviness settled into every part of my body. Even the smallest movements felt like I was slogging through mud. As I write this, I am slowly recovering. One day at a time.
Being sick has made me realize a couple of things. First, I have been with many of you in your seasons of illness and other health challenges. All of a sudden, I was the one with the illness and health challenge. I was the one who had to ask for help, the person who was dependent on others. I was the one who needed the prayers and comfort. I am grateful for the opportunity to gain some measure of humility, and I have come to realize once again – I cannot do life all by myself.
I also realized something about my mindset around my work schedule. In my three days of stillness, I had time to think (albeit through a foggy brain) and one realization that came to me was that I rarely stop. I live my life at a fairly unrelenting pace. There is always something more to do, someone else to call, another meeting to prepare for, another email to respond to, another need to be meet. I never ever just sit and breathe. I am always trying to achieve something. In ministry I can convince myself that the work cannot wait, that I am indispensable, that rest is something that I will get on my vacation. But then something like a virus stops me and makes the decision for me. COVID has caused me to stop and be still, at least for three days.
The Psalmist writes, "He makes me lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:2). I used to read that verse as pure comfort. Lying in bed these past days, I saw it in another way. Being “made to lie down” is not just comfort, it is a grace. Being made to lay down was Gods way of saying to me, “You are not the engine that keeps this going. I am. John, lay down in these green pastures and rest.”
And so, I have been resting. And lo and behold the church has not stopped while I was in bed. The ministries continue. Sunday Worship happened, beautifully I might add – thank you to Geronimo Desumala for your wonderful sermon on May 17. You all checked in on one another. You all carried on in faithfulness. The kingdom of God, it turns out, does not depend on me being upright and productive.
As I mentioned above, I am on the mend, day by day. Thank you all for being the kind of community that shows up for one another - in sickness and in health, in strength and in weakness. Until I am fully back on my feet and can see you in person, I will carry you all in my heart and in my prayers.
With gratitude and resting in God’s grace,
Rev. John
Being sick has made me realize a couple of things. First, I have been with many of you in your seasons of illness and other health challenges. All of a sudden, I was the one with the illness and health challenge. I was the one who had to ask for help, the person who was dependent on others. I was the one who needed the prayers and comfort. I am grateful for the opportunity to gain some measure of humility, and I have come to realize once again – I cannot do life all by myself.
I also realized something about my mindset around my work schedule. In my three days of stillness, I had time to think (albeit through a foggy brain) and one realization that came to me was that I rarely stop. I live my life at a fairly unrelenting pace. There is always something more to do, someone else to call, another meeting to prepare for, another email to respond to, another need to be meet. I never ever just sit and breathe. I am always trying to achieve something. In ministry I can convince myself that the work cannot wait, that I am indispensable, that rest is something that I will get on my vacation. But then something like a virus stops me and makes the decision for me. COVID has caused me to stop and be still, at least for three days.
The Psalmist writes, "He makes me lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:2). I used to read that verse as pure comfort. Lying in bed these past days, I saw it in another way. Being “made to lie down” is not just comfort, it is a grace. Being made to lay down was Gods way of saying to me, “You are not the engine that keeps this going. I am. John, lay down in these green pastures and rest.”
And so, I have been resting. And lo and behold the church has not stopped while I was in bed. The ministries continue. Sunday Worship happened, beautifully I might add – thank you to Geronimo Desumala for your wonderful sermon on May 17. You all checked in on one another. You all carried on in faithfulness. The kingdom of God, it turns out, does not depend on me being upright and productive.
As I mentioned above, I am on the mend, day by day. Thank you all for being the kind of community that shows up for one another - in sickness and in health, in strength and in weakness. Until I am fully back on my feet and can see you in person, I will carry you all in my heart and in my prayers.
With gratitude and resting in God’s grace,
Rev. John
Posted in Newsletter 2026-05-21