This past week, alongside so many others (and on the same day as John Lewis), J.I. Packer died. Some of you may not know that name, but Dr. Packer was an influence and blessing in my life and to many Christians from various traditions. His book Knowing God remains a classic (I return to the passage on “zeal” regularly), and his work to renew catechesis (the teaching of the faith) in the church will be felt for generations. 

While in seminary I had the privilege of hearing a few talks by Dr. Packer. Already quite old, he once described how soon “He (Jesus) will come to fetch me home.” Something about those simple words, and the posture of faith behind them, has remained with me over a decade later. I want to meet death and difficulty with the same rooted and resolute trust. 

Just this week members of our community have lost loved ones. We all continue to experience the challenges of this pandemic. The reality of disease and death, alongside the very real political and structural brokenness of our world, is particularly heavy and present to us. 

I don’t hear in Dr. Packer’s comment a posture of escapism; he regularly called Christians to the work of glorifying Christ here and now. Rather, I hear in it a simple, but deep and profound sense, that our home is with Jesus, in Christ, to use the language of St. Paul.  Even in great difficultly, confronted with our weakness, mortality and sin, there is this simple and certain hope. Through the darkest moments, the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us, calling us to Himself, to our true home. 

May the presence of Christ, our sure and steady anchor in all things, be very real to you today. 

In Christ,
Peter+

Ps. I’m taking advantage of increased online learning options this summer and taking a couple of courses online. A few weeks ago I took one on the theologian Irenaeus and the Second Century of the Christian faith. I learned a lot! This coming week I’ll be taking the class “The Bible and Theology in Color.” The course is free to audit in case you were interested and had the time. In addition to praying for me (lots of reading to do!), feel free to ask me about the classes, I’d love to talk with you about what I’m learning.