PERSPECTIVES
Consider It Pure Joy “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).
Roberto Correa, Mid-America Union Hispanic Ministries coordinator, about how our Spanish speaking churches are coping with the virus. It was heartwarming to hear of the creative ways rowing up, we all Creativity in a storm in which they have adjusted heard people share to continue worshiping towith us counsel Our world is in the middle gether, serving their commuduring difficult times like of multiple storms. Between nities and reaching others Worrying won’t do you any the coronavirus pandemic for Christ (see more on p. 6 good, Let’s consider the and our political landscape, and 21). positive things, Things won’t it is enough to cause anxiety Are you at a loss for always be this bad, Don’t give in most people. But the knowing what to do during up, or Positivity is a choice. words James penned so this time of distress? Are The Bible says “Consider many ages ago could not be you wondering how you can it pure joy” to face trials and more relevant and true than bless others with what God tribulations. There haven’t in our present day. has blessed you with during been many times I have felt October begins the eighth this pandemic? a large dose of joy when month we in the United If so, I encourage you difficulties have come. I also States have been dealing to talk to your conference admit I haven’t talked with with this challenging virus. leaders about how you can anyone going through a This little microorganism reach out to our immigrant painful experience and told has affected nearly every churches and families. See them to consider it pure joy aspect of our lives. Our how you can be of help to they are facing their problem. homes, workplaces, churches, them during this difficult But trials and troubles do schools and hospitals are all time we are experiencing. change us, and often for the learning how to deal with You might just find that better. We tend to become this “new normal” we wake “pure joy” James was speakmore patient and underup to every day. ing of. standing of others when we As a church, some of our ourselves face challenges. members who are affected GARY THURBER Trials often change the trathe most by our current is president of the jectory of our lives, someworld conditions are our Mid-America Union. times in profound ways. We immigrant members. Along may look back at hard times with the economic and think, I’m glad that exchallenges they face, perience directed my life the most do not have the way it did. equipment necessary Author Matshona Dhlito connect to the wayo once said, “Beautiful internet and partake in souls are shaped by ugly the school programs experiences.” I believe this and virtual worship is true. It is just hard to services that the rest of embrace this adage in the us are blessed by. middle of a storm. I spoke recently with
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4 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020
