Sheryl Brady - Build it Back Better

We’ve been through a lot, and we’re really not the same. Many of us are exhausted and depleted. If there were not a few exceptions, I’d say all of us have experienced trauma. We’ve been traumatized by the changes we’ve had to endure, by the losses we’ve faced, and by the restrictions and anxiety of everything we’ve been through. This has drained our energy levels, passion, patience, and even our productivity levels, which sometimes feel like they’re at an all-time low. I never thought something could drain us so much because we are all good at rising above challenges. We often say, «Oh, I got this! Tell the devil I’ve got this!» Yet, this time has knocked the wind out of us.

Today, I want to express my gratitude to all of you for prioritizing God in your lives. I genuinely mean that. The mere fact that you got out of your house, went into your closet, and found some church clothes to wear—that’s significant! Someone posted a picture the other day of a can of biscuits that had burst open, saying, «This is me trying to fit back into my Sunday church clothes.» Yes, Lord! We’re not judging anyone; we all had to do what we had to do.

I want to thank you for prioritizing God, as it took faith for you to leave your home and return to the house of the Lord. You recognized that you couldn’t control the pandemic, and you’re not in control now, but you are in control of your decisions. You chose to give God the Sunday He deserves. It will take discipline, and I am determined to be faithful in giving God my praise, entering His gates with thanksgiving, worshiping Him, and magnifying Him, while not neglecting to assemble together.

I realize that some of you are at home because that’s where you need to be, and that’s okay. We’re not trying to push anyone—Lord have mercy—go at your own pace. But we love you, and we’re praying for you. It’s been challenging, and now that we’ve come this far, there is a lot of rebuilding that must take place. I’m not just talking about what you see here in this church; families now need to be rebuilt because they have been strained. Finances must be rebuilt as well, and many businesses require rebuilding. Your business might have gone through tough times; some have flourished while others have struggled.

Let me tell you, I’m here to encourage you to keep believing in God. The same God who got you started is the same God who will help you through this time. Don’t throw in your entrepreneur clothes; just put them back on and say, «God, let me see what I have left.» Once I know what I have left, I’ll know what I can do.

Many churches folded during this pandemic, yet we are blessed to be alive, connect with you in your homes, and have already been ahead of the game with streaming, thanks to our dedicated staff. However, many churches still have to rebuild trust, and the need for rebuilding stretches from the White House to the CDC and beyond. Trust is something that needs to be rebuilt everywhere.

Our educational systems require rebuilding, and healthcare systems have taken significant hits; they also need to be rebuilt. Our stockpiles must be replenished, the workforce refreshed, and the extreme fragility in our global food system needs to be addressed. We shouldn’t have to search for toilet paper everywhere, nor should people be without food. All of this must change.

Our value systems also need rebuilding. What I once valued most may not be my top priority anymore. We cannot return to just being who we used to be. There’s a reason we went through this shaking. God said, «I will shake everything that can be shaken.» If it was shaken, He shook it, and we’re going to trust Him. We must change whatever we need to change, for this is an incredible opportunity and a pivotal moment for us to step in and declare that something must change.

The housing development system must change, employment conditions must improve, and the inequalities in wealth must be addressed. It’s been unfair, and we must acknowledge that this is our moment. Church, what I’m saying is that we cannot simply slip into complacency.