How are you feeling these days? As I write this one month after the September 11 attack on America I am wondering what the state of America and of the world will be by the time you read this. How many lives will have been lost? Will I still be alive? Will you? Will disaster hit our shores again? Over and over on TV I hear, "We will never be the same again!" and "Expect more terrorism!" Is this what I am to believe and consider?

God, forgive these thoughts! This kind of focus on more violence to come does not help me cope better; nor does it help the world.

Paul said to the Philippians, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:8-9, NRSV).

Alone I cannot change the decisions that must be made by our world leaders; but God can, and I can:

  • Keep on praying for their guidance, for the guidance of the terrorists, and for guidance for the rest of us;
  • Remind myself and others that God is still on the throne, still in charge, still healing the world in places and in ways of which we may not be aware;
  • Focus on the fact that there is more good in the world than evil; and
  • Rejoice in the Lord!

I can join my Christian brothers and sisters in singing songs of hope, such as "How Firm a Foundation" and "We Shall Overcome" (United Methodist Hymnal), "Let There Be Peace on Earth" (Songs of Zion), and "In Times Like These" (African American Heritage Hymnal). A more contemporary song, "In Moments Like This" (African American Heritage Hymnal) reminds us that we can lift up our hands and praise God by singing, "I love you, Lord!" I can sing in my car, in worship services, in my Covenant Discipleship group devotions, and in our Class Leader meetings. I can sing and not be ashamed of my voice, remembering John Wesley's Directions for Singing (UMH):

"See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. Sing lustily and with a good courage. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing."

Covenant discipleship is good for us now. It helps keep before us the things that are important — witnessing to Jesus Christ in the world through acts of devotion, worship, compassion, and justice under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Every time I practice a clause in my covenant or even think about it, I ask myself, "Am I doing it any better than I did a month ago? Am I taking more time to be alone in God's presence, just talking and listening? Am I taking advantage of more opportunities to worship? Am I using my gifts, including my singing, to make my corner of the world a better place? Am I seeing the people around me, even those I pass on the streets or who look different, as children of the same God I worship? Am I speaking up for people who need justice? Am I watching over my Covenant Discipleship group members with love and including more people in my circle of love? even my enemies?"

Several years ago I wrote a song for my students. I have been thinking of this song often. After changing a phrase in this excerpt, it still seems timely.

We've come this way before;
We know the problems we've encountered
Dark clouds have marred our shores,
And troubles still have mounted.
Lord, it's my desire to change the picture,
And give life a new view.
Give us new faith for the old dreams,
So that we can make them come true.
One man can't go alone; we need to be together,
To hold each other's hands and make all life a little better.
Lord, it's my desire to change the picture,
and give life a new view.
Give us new faith in the old dreams,
so that we can make them come true.
(New Faith for Old Dreams, © 1977 Grace Bradford)

Grace Bradford is editor of Covenant Discipleship Quarterly Newsletter and author of Guide for Class Leaders (Discipleship Resources).