When facing deep hardships in life, faith offers courage and provides us with reasons to persevere. However, at such dark times, our faith may seem to falter. I invite us to see this as a strength. Without periodic questioning, our faith would be insincere. This Sunday, we explore how faith and meaning intersect in powerful ways, countering experiences of despair.

In this church, we gather together to renew our faith, our hope, and our strength to sustain ourselves and all of those around us. Through our spiritual practices, we tend to ourselves so that we can offer love and hope to the world around us. Even when the world is on fire, there are things we can do, however small. This Sunday, we offer a practice of gratitude for our church that offers us sustenance as we begin a month of honoring the sacred commitment of stewardship.

Human rights activist Ella Baker spoke the words, “Give people light, and they will find a way.” To me, this speaks to the heart of faith and spirituality. Faith, to me, is hope. Is strength. Is companionship with the sacred and the confidence in life’s inherent goodness and beauty. With these held in one’s heart, any path can be illuminated.