My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:26

Hi COTC Family,

It’s hot isn’t it? That’s not unusual for this time of year in Austin, but this summer has been extreme. That extreme quality has garnered a fair amount of comment (we lament the heat daily if not hourly in the Coelho household, wimpy Canadians that we are) and attention. Speculation regarding the pace and effect of climate change has featured throughout the media. The Rev. Tish Harrison Warren wrote this thoughtful piece a few Sundays ago on the topic and on its connection to poverty. 

Much of the comment and attention regarding the heat comes with a sense of dread and doom. Things are only going to get worse. Things are falling apart. Maybe you feel that as you read the news or feel the heat. Perhaps those feelings are made manifest in more uniquely personal ways; the quiet difficulties and catastrophes of our own broken lives. 

For the past year or so, the above verse from Psalm 73 has had a central place in my prayer life. The verse was a favorite of Bernard of Clairvaux and I first heard it while listening to a free audio bookrecording of his book On Loving God. I heard it during a time of deep discouragement and it has stayed with me through the ups and downs of the past year. Sometimes I add the second person pronoun or put the name of Jesus in the place of God. Sometimes I pray it full of faith, and at other times, I'm asking and wishing for it to be true. 

The word translated "fail" in the first part of the verse is best understood as wasted away, spent, or exhausted. I suspect we can all identify with that kind of failure. 

The word “portion” appears throughout the Old Testament and Psalms. Several times it is connected to the notion of inheritance. That is, God himself is our share, our treasure. The thing upon which our future hope and confidence rests. We may fail, everything else upon which we depend is up for grabs, but this portion, God’s presence, is secure. That’s what the Psalmist declares. And from that portion we draw strength.

I wonder how the truths of Psalm 73:26 might take shape in your life this season. What might it look like to act as though God alone is the strength of your heart and your portion? In this season of exhausting heat, in the ongoing quiet catastrophes of our lives, my hope and prayer is that we would hold to the truth of this verse. And, that like the Psalmist and St. Bernard of old, Jesus’ presence would be the strength of our heart and our portion, causing us to endure in faith, persevere in goodness, and find joy even in the midst of the changes and chances of this life.  

One note: The Van Allens have discerned a call to serve in the Diocese of All Nations within the ACNA. As well as a move from our diocese, this will involve a shift in their local church participation, and Paul will no longer be resident clergy at COTC. I am very grateful to God for their years of generous and faithful service as members of our community, as Parish Council members, and for Paul as a fellow clergy person. I personally have been blessed by their presence among us and I know many of you have too.

We will really miss them and we’re grateful to continue as partners in the Gospel and in the Anglican Church. Please pray for the Lord’s continued leading for Paul, Lisa, Ava, Layla, Henri and Ruby, and for their flourishing in Christ.

In Christ, 

Peter+