Despite tragedies, pastor says, ‘God is at work in us’

With many tragedies happening and living through two years of a pandemic, “we need to know that God is at work in us,” said Pastor Mike Walerius of First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie.
Walerius delivered a Memorial Day message on May 30 to a large crowd at the Blooming Prairie City Cemetery.
Holding his speech in one hand and a microphone in the other hand, Walerius overcame a challenging burden. That didn’t prevent him from presenting an insightful message.
First, he delivered a short prayer. “Today, we thank the veterans for your love for us–and we thank all the men and women of our armed services for the sacrifices they made for us.”
Walerius opened his talk, referring to Philippians 2:1-13:
“Christ Jesus who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death–even death on a cross.”
Walerius acknowledged that he did not serve in the military. He said his father, uncles, cousins, and friends have served.
Walerius said he was grateful for the men and women who serve to protect the freedoms and liberties he and others enjoy.
“We have a God who knows sacrifice and commitment. We also have a God who was willing to do anything for us, his children. He even died for us.”
As a divided country, people don’t trust one another, said Walerius.
“We need to know God is at work in us and this will enable you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure,” he said.
The men and women who died for this country, died for the “United” States and right now, “we are as divided as I’ve ever seen,” Walerius said.
“Let’s honor our fallen soldiers and let’s honor God by coming together to lead the world once again as a United States.”