No Matter Where, No Matter When
This summer has been a season of living out of a suitcase and trying to figure out where I am when I wake up each morning, and what a blessing it has been. In the last month, I traveled to Germany, Switzerland, and France on the church’s Reformation spiritual adventure, and last week to Alabama to visit my grandsons. It is always fun to travel to their home state of Oklahoma, but I love it even more when their mom and dad invite us to join them on their vacations. This year, we spent our time on the beach in Gulf Shores. One thing I have noticed during my summer travels is that, regardless of the location, family is always important. It doesn’t matter what language is being spoken; the body language tells you a lot. Frustration or loving touches are the same, regardless of the dialect being German, Swiss, French, or a southern drawl.
The Reformation journey was more than I had imagined or hoped for. Retracing Martin Luther’s steps from monk to a man in hiding for his beliefs during the Reformation was very enlightening. Martin Luther was born in 1483 and died in 1546. It’s challenging for Americans to grasp the significance of that period and its global impact. Martin Luther played a pivotal role in the development of the printing press. He was able to translate the Bible from Latin into German. Luther’s ability to utilize the printing press made him a celebrity author, with his works becoming bestsellers and driving a significant social and religious change not only in Germany but around the world.
Germany was especially interesting to me since I was also there during the Cold War. It was 1973, and I was traveling as an ambassador for People-to-People International. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the foundation to promote international understanding and friendship through education, cultural, and humanitarian activities. Each summer, groups from across the United States are sent to different parts of the world to advance the vision of President Eisenhower.
I traveled through Europe for six weeks, experiencing home life with families from eight different countries. One of the homestays was in Berlin. The family was so loving and excited to share all the positives their beautiful city had to offer, but there was still a sadness due to the division of East and West Berlin. We were granted a pre-arranged day trip to East Berlin, and it was evident that their freedom had been taken away. We weren’t allowed to leave the bus, and while on the bus, we were required to be silent and look forward the entire time. It was a surreal experience witnessing how good and evil were divided by a wall.
Visiting again in 2025 was beautiful as we walked between what was East and West Berlin without any restrictions. The sadness was gone, but the historical reminders that life can change in an instant were still truly relevant. As ugly as history can be, we need reminders that it can repeat itself.
While history may repeat itself in human actions, God's character and his responses to sin and faithfulness remain consistent. God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness are evident throughout the Bible, even as he responds to the changing circumstances of human history.
One of my favorite passages is Hebrews 13:8. It is a short passage, but so powerful:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
We are in a world of constant flux, and Hebrews 13:8 offers a solid anchor, assuring us that Jesus is our steadfast foundation and source of hope. With all the changes happening in the world right now, I am thankful that Jesus is not one of those changes.
Blessings,
Peggy Zumhofe
Executive Pastor
