God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart, when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea, when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains shake because of its surging waves.

Psalm 46:1-3

(Common English Bible)

"If the devil can’t make you bad, he will make you busy."

This saying of a friend of mine has been truer than you will ever know.

It’s one thing to do things that drive you away from God, like making unwise choices that go completely against the healthy life that is God’s best for us. Those things put wedges in our relationship with God like telling lies to others drives wedges in our relationships with them.

But another thing that can harm our relationship with God is neglect.

I remember that when I graduated from high school, I vowed to myself that I would stay in touch with all the people from my graduating class.

And when I graduated from junior college, I made the same promise to myself — that I would stay in touch with my friends and professors because they were such a meaningful part of my education and growth.

Then when I graduated from college… You guessed it. Same promise.

Seminary? Same promise.

It’s not easy to say goodbye to people who have been influential in our growing as a person. And while online social media have made it easier to keep up with some of those people, I will never be able to communicate with everyone in that collective group of friends.

I think heaven must be a wonderful place where we will always have time to spend time with those we love, and where no one is forgotten.

But what about when it’s God who gets lost in our daily shuffle?

I love the words of the Psalmist. Remembering that our strength comes from God and that God is our refuge — our safe haven in the hurricane-ish storm of life — helps us to keep our center.

"That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart."

Even when the devil makes you busy and life’s roller coaster seems to be speeding up, know that God is right there with you, walking with you, running with you, and catching you when you fall exhausted into God’s arms. Hear God saying to you, "Be still and know that I am God."

Let your every breath be a prayer to God. Trust God, and keep your conversation with God going throughout your busy day, so that even in the midst of the storms of life, you have the peace of Christ that passes all of our understanding.

Where do you need to know God’s peace today? Take a break and spend a few moments alone with God, thanking Christ for being with you always.

Rev. Jan McCoy is the associate pastor of Covington First United Methodist Church in downtown Covington. She may be reached at jan.mccoy@ngumc.net.