Forest Lake Talks

Psalm 139:1-6

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
³ You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.

Devotional: If you’ve ever watched How I Met Your Mother, you know that Marshall Eriksen, played by Jason Segel, is everyone’s best friend. His affable nature is contagious, and unless you get him coaching basketball, he’s a calm, gentle giant.

Jason Segel has played the role of “everyone’s best friend” in screen appearances, so I was surprised when he told the reality behind this on-screen persona that has seemingly been assigned to him. In a recent podcast interview, Jason admitted that performing this type of character was hard for him because he has to “work a little harder to get to zero” when he wakes up. In other words, he does not wake up as Marshall Eriksen, as he notes, “I have to personally work a little bit hard at happiness…internally.”

If we asked the Forest Lake Presbyterian Church congregation, “How many of you woke up at zero today,” I wonder what the response what be. My guess is some hands would go up, but there are many in our church family who are struggling. Many hands would not go up.

There’s good news.

Over the weekend, the education ministry released its fall faith formation schedule, which contains new classes and opportunities for young and seasoned disciples. The ministry wants all disciples to feel God’s presence – “meet God,” as Ellen said on Sunday. Included in the faith formation offerings are small groups, grief groups, a fitness group, and a mental health group.

As we were reminded on Sunday, God searches us and knows us. If you find yourself waking up “below zero,” please consider drawing on the strength of God and your church family.

JOIN US.

Prayer: Holy God, you know us and love us. May your Spirit fall upon us so we can be bold, try new things, and draw on the strength of your love. And empower us to draw on the strength of others! Amen.

Podcast cited: Segel, Jason. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. Released 20 February, 2023.