Edina Hall

Dear Friends in Christ,

At my previous church, I knew a lovely octogenarian named Sally Shumway. She was confined to a wheelchair but her husband faithfully brought her to church and every meeting or group in which she was involved. She was diminutive in stature and quiet by nature (or was it circumstance?).

In one meeting our group was planning a Quiet Day Tea; there was much to be organized. People were excitingly signing-up to make treats, bring china, advertise...we were busy bees. Then, in a quiet moment among the energy that comes with planning, Sally softly chimed in with a bit of longing this unforgettable statement, “I can’t do much anymore, but I can pray.”

In today’s Old Testament reading we join Moses and the Israelites in their journey from Egypt at war with Amalek at Rephidim. As the battle played out, Moses, Joshua, and Hur observe from the top of a hill. Moses raised his arm, staff in hand and “whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

Battles can be lengthy affairs, and this one was no exception. Eventually a rock was placed for Moses to sit upon and, when his arms grew weary, Joshua and Hur were at his right and left side to hold his hands steady. The Israelites prevailed.

The remainder of today’s reading from Peter is, in some sense, our “Marching Orders” for our lengthy battle.

“Be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.”

“Maintain constant love for one another.”

“Be hospitable to one another without complaining.”

It goes on to remind us that we will be tested and sometimes it will be “strange.”

I find that being a Christian in the world today is difficult, testing, and often strange. Sometimes I feel like I am on that battlefield at Rephidim, orders in hand and heart, fighting for God’s kingdom in a broken world. Sometimes I feel victorious and sometimes overwhelmed, discouraged or lost along the way.

In the clamor of it all, I try to listen for Sally’s voice to remind me of these two truths. First, along with her and now this image of Joshua and Hur on the mountain holding Moses’ weary arms, we are all supported and bolstered in our "battle” by being lifted up in prayer. And secondly, when “I can’t do much anymore, I can pray.”

A fellow Christian soldier,

—Edina