"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.." 1 Peter 1:1
So begins the first letter from Peter to a people divided by distance, experiencing hardship, but who are still united by a call to divinely inspired love. Somehow, I grew up reading the Bible without noticing the times of exile. Yet, they are everywhere. They are the subtext of the prophets, the plots of Esther and Daniel, and the genealogies of Matthew and Luke trace family histories through extremely dark times.   What can we take from this? Times of trial are when we have the opportunity to reflect on what sustains life and hope. A chance to recognize the longing to meet in person with our closest friends and loved ones. To remember that we are social beings, born, grown, and renewed by relationship.  And, as we all come to terms with dramatic social change - we can find solace in a God who meets his people right where they are. Perhaps now we can more deeply grasp how Peter closes his letter,  "And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you."
1 Peter 5:10