"Swim Deep" by Janet Hill

 “2020 has been one heckuva year. “ says Abbot Blevins in her Baptist News Global opinion piece. “10 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Because Things May Get Worse Before They Get Better,” on September 28, 2020. She goes on to say, “The bad news is, it isn’t over.”

This statement is true for us as individuals, as families, as employees and employers, and as a church. Blevins also uses this important analogy:

But here’s what I know: fish that swim the deepest are largely unaffected by the storm. In other words, we must all tap deep into ourselves, to that place where the Spirit of God dwells with the peace that passes understanding if we want to maintain our mental health during the tumultuous days ahead. Each of us needs a plan for protecting our sanity, and we need to be enacting that plan right now. We must make self-care a priority. We need to engage in practices right now to help us stay well throughout the coming chaos. (Read the full blog here.)

It’s tempting to ignore the regular ebb and flow of the church calendar when we aren’t doing church in traditional ways this year. Trunk or Treat? Do we really want to go to the extra effort of making it a safe environment for kids to have their expected routine? It would be easier to just cancel. I’m glad Angie chose to do the extra work so children can have the fun they need right now. How about Thanksgiving? We can’t gather 300 people at Heritage Hall this year. Let’s just cancel. But instead, Karen Rogers, Lisa Kopala, and their teams came up with a creative alternative, so our church members can express their gratitude. (If you don’t know about this, check out the latest newsletter.)

The same argument could be made about Catalyst. This planning time happens every two years. But should we do it this year? Should we plan for a future that we can’t even imagine right now? Should we ask families, stressed in ways beyond anyone’s control, to consider giving, and maybe even giving more to the church? The answer to this is yes too. Remember, “fish that swim the deepest are largely unaffected by the storm.” Our congregation needs to RENEW now more than ever. “We need to engage in practices right now to help us stay well throughout the coming (and unknown) chaos.” Our attention and focus need to be on a renewed vision of God’s dream for us.

When Jason speaks of Catalyst he always begins with the Lord’s Prayer paraphrase of “God, may all of your dreams for us come true.” Renew, this year’s Catalyst theme is about looking for renewal from God in our community, our faith, our witness, and our story. It is about making new commitments. Commitments to seek God’s dream for us as individuals and as a church. Commitments to pray for that renewal, to serve with renewed passion, and to be generous in supporting the ministry of Second Baptist to share the source of renewal with all who need it.

We encourage you to participate in Catalyst this year. Start with attending worship on October 11 at Belvoir Winery. We will meet in-person and outdoors. Be sure you make your reservation. Listen to the sermons, read the materials sent to your home, and shared online, pray for renewal to begin in your life today. Swim deep, “to that place where the Spirit of God dwells with the peace that passes understanding.” Find renewal.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—the Lord’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)