In the center of a hurricane there is absolute peace and quiet. There is no safer place than in the center of the will of God.
– Corrie Ten Boom
Hurricane Ian has been one of the worst hurricanes and weather disasters in US history. It highlights that we face powerful forces outside our control, no matter how much 21st century Americans pretend otherwise. If trends continue, we all may find ourselves facing more climate danger than previous generations.
Corrie Ten Boom’s story is even more stark. Her family members helped many Jewish people escape from the Nazis during the Holocaust by hiding them in her home. Eventually they were caught, and the family was arrested and sent to a concentration camp. Corrie and her sister Betsie were in the same concentration camp, where they secretly led bible studies with the other prisoners. Before she died, Betsie told Corrie, “There is no pit so deep that He [God] is not deeper still.”
The Holocaust is one of the most heinous evil plans ever enacted. Yet while drowning in the worst evil, Corrie and her sister knew that they were safe. Despite their tragic capture and Betsie’s death, they relied on the everlasting security of belonging to their creator and Lord. God is safer and deeper than the most dangerous evil or the most fearsome storm.
A Christian’s ultimate safety does not mean that he or she can avoid harm or suffering. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:18 (ESV) “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Paul knew that many of his enemies were trying to execute him. But his trust reinforced that even in death he was safe. We are everlasting creatures, so death is not the end.
Our security means being protected from evil. Jesus purchased that rescue on the cross, where he was buffeted by depths of evil that no one can fathom. We are safe because he wasn’t; he suffered so we wouldn’t. Our present sufferings are real, but they will fade in the radiance of our Savior’s presence.
Your Work Matters
The question of faith and work is really a question of calling. Join this fall’s Faith & Work 101 course to demystify the idea of calling and develop a clearer sense of God’s calling for you. This introductory 7-week cross-vocational course is designed to challenge you to take an in-depth look at your particular field through the lens of the gospel, deepening your understanding and experience of everyday work.
Coming up
- Get to know Hope for New York better!, Oct 11: Are you new to Redeemer West Side and/or New York City? Do you have a heart for serving neighbors in need? Get to know Hope for New York, our partner ministry in mercy and justice, at a Volunteer Info Session on Tuesday, October 11.
- Be a volunteer for Kids Community Group, Oct 12: KCG is an after school program for west side children 1st grade-5th grade. We meet every Wednesday after school to worship as a family, have pizza, and to learn about God’s word. For any questions about registration please contact us at kids@redeemerws.com.
- Getting married?, Oct 15: Plan on attending Redeemer’s Premarital Seminar. You don’t have to be engaged to participate in the seminar. Even if you’ve just begun considering the possibility of marriage, this is a powerful way to discover whether you should continue in your relationship. This seminar is a lively day of biblical teaching on marriage, exercises that help a couple learn more about each other, and ending with a time of Q&A.
- Join us on a Central Park Historical Highlights & Fall Foliage Walking Tour, Oct 22: Get to know other Redeemerites, in the beauty of nature, as we learn more about Central Park’s complex history, innovative design, and the creative geniuses who brought it to life. We will also walk to enjoy park highlights and fall foliage.
- Celebrate 30 years with Hope for New York, Nov 3: HFNY’s annual Fall Benefit is back in person at Bryant Park Grill! Join us on Thursday, November 3 to celebrate our 30th anniversary and learn about the work of our affiliate partners.
- Serve at All Angels’ Community Meal: Serve along West Siders to set up, distribute, and clean up meals for our neighbors experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
- Listen to our Sermons: Redeemer West Side now has a podcast where you can listen to the weekly sermons wherever you find yourself. Think about sharing it with friends as well as a resource to help you grow as a follower of Jesus.
