Pastor's Corner: Reflect and readjust to uncertain expectations

Expectations! How we picture life with its ups and downs can be a source of great joy or great disappointment. Take Sunday’s Super Bowl 51 as an example; depending upon the team you were rooting for determined the emotional level you walked away with. Through the first half, if you were a Patriot’s fan, it was a humbling experience bordering on sure defeat. Likewise if you supported the Falcons, the outcome was basically “in the bag” for victory! 

What happened? Our expectations were drastically changed, new records were established and a transition of emotional adjustment will bring us back to our normal selves in a few days. Life seems full of these “Uncertain Expectations” causing us to reflect, re-adjust and resume our thinking to bring new balance in our life.

Last week the Greater Havre Ministerial Association sponsored the Christian Week of Unity, where believers across denominations gathered daily to celebrate what we share in common, namely Jesus Christ as Lord. Beginning Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. we celebrated with music, puppet show and encouraging messages from various churches to rejoice in our “Family of God” together. Then throughout the week we gathered daily at 7 a.m. for breakfast and a devotion to start our workday united with joyful believers of the faith. It was very encouraging and excelled our normal expectations of a daily routine alone.

Also last Friday, Feb. 2; we recall the heroic events of the Four Chaplains that were on the USAT Dorchester, a troop transport carrying 902 servicemen to an American base in Greenland during WWII. Only 150 miles from their destination the Dorchester was torpedoed at 12:55 a.m. and rapidly sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Through all the darkness, confusion, panic and blazes these four chaplains, George Fox (UMC), Alexander Goode (Jewish Rabbi), John Washington (RC), and Clark Poling (Dutch Reform), became heroes. They calmed the frightened, tended the wounded and guided the disoriented toward safety. They offered prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would live. When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. Witnesses in the lifeboats could see these four chaplains, arms linked together and braced against the sinking ship, praying for the men. What gave these chaplains strength to face death at the service of saving others? God’s promises giving faith, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Expectations for their life turned out drastically different than what they had planned, but their sacrifice rescued many more from an icy death, and left an imprint of the One Son of God, who gave His life for all our lives.

Thank You Father for sending Your Son, our Savior.

Pastor John Chapman

First Baptist Church, Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association