Sermon, "You Are Not Abandoned...Ever!" from May 21, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Luther W. Symons

It was close to the end of the term, and I was bearing down on my studies in preparation for finals. It meant many late nights at the library, and there was nothing worse than things that distracted you from your work. So on that night most everyone had gone, or so it seemed. And then I heard a noise...it sounded like sniffling. I ignored it and it stopped for a time. But it came back; two or three times, it came back, and it was annoying. Finally, I could take it no longer, and I went to see who was making such sounds. As I turned the corner, I saw a tiny person weeping. The Resident Assistant in me felt obliged to try to help. I walked up to her. "You alright?" I asked. "I can't do this. Everyone is gone." She looked truly sad. I looked at the work in front of her, wondering if I could help. It was some sort of calculus, and I was too entrenched in philosophical and theological constructs to try to resurrect the calculus of days past, so I tried to encourage her. "You can do this." I said. "Just go one step at a time." She looked at her paper and began to punch numbers into her calculator. I told her I was just around the corner if she needed anything. There are many situations where it is comforting to know that we're not alone and that someone else knows, or sees, or understands what we're going through. Having support at such times is critical to wholeness in life. But then there are times when we are truly alone, on journeys for which it seems there can be no companions. Through all the trials and tribulations of life, it is imperative to remember that no matter how alone we feel, Jesus has promised us God's presence in the Comforter, the Advocate, the Paraclete. No matter what is going on; despite what has happened, you are not abandoned...ever! In this sermon we shall explore this wondrous promise of comfort when alone. ~Rev. Dr. Luther Symons