Christ Has No Body
Christ Has No Body
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
Compassion on this world
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good
Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world
Yours are the hands
Yours are the feet
Yours are the eyes
You are His body
Christ has no body now on earth but yours
This prayer (or poem) Christ Has No Body is attributed to St. Teresa of Avila, although it is not found in her writings. Teresa lived in the 16th century in Spain and was a contemporary of Martin Luther.
Let us pray: Gracious God, we are humbled to be your body at work in the world. As we go about our day, let us envision our hands, our feet, our expressions, and our words to be yours as well. So, we can carry on your righteous work in the world. Amen.
All the People
As a small child, I remember my grandmother teaching me this clever finger play and poem as I struggled to hold still at church. “This is the church, this is the steeple, open the door, and see all the people.”
At Easter one thing shines brightly to me; “all the people.” Even as we lose two of our beloved pastors, one thing remains the same; “all the people” who make up this tenacious Body of Christ. I witnessed this firsthand in July as I had the opportunity to serve at Vacation Bible School and witness the beauty of the church body at work. Each volunteer graciously using their God-given gifts to lead, sing, craft, comfort, feed, and teach the beautiful children at Easter. So many gifts, working together as one body, carrying on the work of Jesus.
Let’s pray: Gracious God, thank you for “all the people” who make up our beautiful church. Help us to remember that we are the church. Amen.
Martin Luther Changed Christianity
Martin Luther Changed Christianity
This week, all my devotions focus on the concept of change. And I cannot end this week without highlighting the most influential person of change in our faith; Martin Luther. Our reluctant namesake, Martin Luther changed the way the world viewed Christianity. The television series, Biography named Luther number 3 out of 100 of the most influential people of the past 1,000 years. The first was Gutenberg for the printing press, the second was Sir Isaac Newton, and then Martin Luther.
Luther is important because he was not afraid of CHANGE even in the face of danger. His writings taught that the Bible was the source of religious authority, and that salvation was reached through faith and not deeds. His teachings were in direct opposition with the Catholic Church and sparked the Protestant Reformation. Can you imagine our world today without Martin Luther? I am grateful that he had the courage to speak about the changes that needed to be made in our faith and look to him as a hero for change!
Let us pray: Gracious God, thank you the example of Luther’s courage to call for change in the face of adversity over 500 years ago. Help us to be brave enough to do your will as we face difficult changes in our world today. Amen.
Change is a Good Thing
One of the reasons many enjoy living in Minnesota is the change of seasons. My favorite of all the seasons is autumn by far. The vibrant colors, the cooler temperatures, the crock pot meals, and of course the pumpkin spiced everything. Change is a good thing and biblical;
Ecclesiates 3:1-8
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
When the seasons of our life change, it can be frightening, like a trapeze performer releasing a bar before taking hold of the other heading towards them. In that moment, there is nothing to grasp, but they must let go to grab another. And so, we too must let go of our past and trust the uncertainty of the changes in life. Holding on to the past is futile because life moves forward whether we like it or not. Letting go is scary, but as the saying goes, "Don't look back, you’re not going in that direction.”
Let us pray: Gracious God, thank you for all the seasons of our lives, the good and the bad. Help us to take the good memories with us as we move forward and grow from the bad as we strive to change for the better. Amen.
Potholes in the Journey
“Don’t worry about the potholes. Just enjoy the journey.”
This phrase speaks to me as I say goodbye to two beloved pastors. Ugh...I do not like change. Change is like a pothole. A bump in the road of life. Something that shakes us up a bit and might even be startling. And I have heard it said that change is the only constant in life. However, the Good News in Hebrews 13:8 reminds us of this;
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
I take comfort in this Bible passage when my life feels bumpy. Jesus is like the seat belt we strap on every day as we start our journey. Like a seat belt, Jesus will not be able to help us if we do not act and buckle Him on. And you are strapping on your seat belt right as you read this devotion. You are connecting with God’s Word and to the promise to never change. So, let us enjoy our journey with Jesus and embrace the potholes knowing He is our constant strength and provider.
Let us pray: Gracious and unchanging God. Remind me to start each day with your Word so we can not only bear the changes in life but embrace them. Amen.
Make Waves Ephesians 4:2
VBS this week is learning to Make Waves (with orange/parent cue)
Read Ephesians 4:2
When you hear the word payback, what do you think about? Maybe you think about money or stuff. If you borrow someone’s pencil and accidentally lose it, you should pay them back by giving them a new pencil. If you borrow money to buy popcorn at the ball field, you should pay them back by buying their popcorn at the next game.
Sometimes, we are tempted to pay back a wrong for a wrong. When someone breaks something of ours, we feel like breaking something of theirs. Or when someone says something that hurts our feelings, we want to say something mean right back. But God tells us there’s a better way.
What does it mean to “put up with one another?”
Write your answer here:
_______________________________________________
Guess what? You are not perfect. You’ll say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing sometimes. And the same is true for every person you meet. They’re going to mess up too. Instead of looking for ways to pay someone back, God wants us to choose gentleness. After all, wouldn’t you want someone to be gentle with you, to “put up with” you when you mess up?
Dear God, I am not perfect. Help me come to you when I mess up. Forgive me, renew me in your spirit. Amen
Make Waves Titus 3:2
VBS this week is learning to Make Waves (with orange/parent cue)
Read Titus 3:2
When you hear the word “weakness” what do you think about? Does this equation come to mind?
Gentleness = Weakness
Choosing to be gentle towards someone else isn’t a sign of weakness. Choosing to be gentle, to put others first, requires strength! It’s not easy to live humbly but when you do, you’re showing everyone around you just how strong you really are.
That’s why the following equation is more accurate . . .
Gentleness = Strength
Every time you are careful with your words and actions, you are showing gentleness. Every time you remain calm instead of blowing up when something frustrates you, you are being gentle with others. Gentleness is the biggest strength test ever.
And the best part is, you don’t have to do this on your own. God will help you. His strength and power are unlimited! Pray and ask God to help you have the strength to be gentle to everyone you meet this week.
Dear God, Give me strength to be gentle. Keep me calm when life gets tough. Help me show your love to others. Amen
Make Waves with Gentleness
VBS this week is learning to Make Waves (with orange/parent cue)
Read Philippians 4:5
When others look at you, what do they see?
Maybe your freckles or your dimples, or your long legs. There are things about our physical appearance that are obvious and allow others to recognize us.
What if the qualities we’ve been talking about, the things that God wants to do in us to change the world us, were as obvious as the freckles across your nose? In other words, what if your kindness, or patience or gentleness, was the first thing someone noticed about you?
Did you know that you are a representation of God? God made you in His image, and that means you can show the world what God looks like! You can “make waves” by living out the purpose God gave you—to show His light and love to everyone around you.
Just like no two people would create the same representation or picture of creation, each person can “make waves” in a different way. God may have given you a skill like drawing, painting, singing, or acting. Or maybe you’re really good at being a friend and listening to other people’s problems. Perhaps you tell amazing jokes. Whatever gift God has given you, use it to make waves and show others who God is!
Jesus was gentle. He used gentle words when He spoke. He was gentle in the way He treated His friends, the disciples, even when they didn’t understand what He was trying to do.
Sometimes being gentle is the strongest choice you can make. So here’s a question to think about: how can you be gentle in an obvious way this week?
Dear God, Help me say gentle words to others. Help me be patient and kind. Give me the strength not to cause harm like a tidal wave but be gentle like a small ripple through the water. Amen
Changing Perspectives
Stop and wonder: When you think of Christianity in the United States of America, do you believe Christianity is declining or inclining? What do you think the average Christian looks like?
Listen: Acts 2:46-47 (emphasis mine)
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Reflect: I’m competitive. It’s hard to be competitive and not be good at sports so you can imagine my little league baseball career was very disappointing. As someone who is competitive, I like to see the Christian church in the United States doing well. However, we are in a period of decline by measure of worship attendance and the number of people who identify as “Christian.” And yet we are part of a global church—connected to our partners in Tanzania and Guatemala by the power of the Holy Spirit. The church is not just in the United States!
In fact, in 2014 the “average” Christian was likely to be a 24-year-old female living in Latin America. the largest population of Lutherans live in Sweden, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. There are currently an estimated 7.9 MILLION Lutherans in Tanzania (ten years ago it was 6.4 million), a church body that is growing at a record pace. Our partners in Nyanzwa have added two new preaching points in the past two years. Once they had a church building, the Mpilipili preaching point grew from 30 people to 300 people in one year.
Is the church declining? Or are we just looking in the wrong places? What if we changed our perspective? Instead of asking “what are we doing wrong,” what if we asked, “what is God up to” and “what are our partners doing right?!?” They go door to door to tell people about their church and their faith. They invite new people to enjoy food together. Once their church building is at capacity at a preaching point, they send a handful of faithful members with a newly trained evangelist to go further down the road and start a new preaching point. Radical hospitality. Radical welcome. Faithful sharing of the Good News of God’s love shown to us in Jesus Christ.
God’s church is growing at record pace in places we would historically least expect. God is up to something. It’s time we paid attention.
Pray: Gracious God, help us to change our perspective. Instead of seeing decline, help us to see where you are growing your church. Instead of challenges, help us to use the gifts you have given us to tell others about Jesus. Amen.
Carry On: Pray for our partner parishes:
· The Lutheran Church in Nyanzwa (Nee-on-zwa) Tanzania
· San Marcos in Maya Itza, Guatemala
· Divino Salvador del Mundo in Guatemala City, Guatemala
Know that they are praying for you and Easter Lutheran Church, too!
With Bread
Stop: When you think of God’s mission to reveal God’s self to the world through Jesus Christ, what do you think of? Do you think of this mission as a project, a trip, a journey, or otherwise?
Listen: 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
Reflect: Pr. Peter Harrits from Shepherd of the Valley led our first session for Reimagining Mission and encouraged us to think about God’s mission. Often we think of mission as a special project—sometimes completing something we have decided our partners need. We go on mission trips as ways to take a break from our normal routines to focus on a week or more of service before returning to our normal routines. But what if mission—sharing God’s love in Jesus Christ—is a journey.
In Luke: 13-32, two disciples are returning to Emmaus from Jerusalem after Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Jesus appears as a stranger as they are walking along the road talking about the news. They share their disappointment that Jesus was crucified because they thought he would be the one to redeem Israel. As they walk along the dusty road, Jesus explains Scripture to them. Once to Emmaus they invite Jesus to stay with them. They realize it was Jesus with them the entire time when he breaks bread with them.
This is mission as a journey—Jesus being revealed in our midst as we walk along with others sharing the news of the day including our hopes and disappointments, as we open Scripture with others, as we offer the hospitality of a meal together, as we accompany one another through this life’s journey.
Bega Kwa Bega is the title of our synod’s partnership with the Iringa Diocese in Tanzania. It means “shoulder to shoulder,” literally walking together along this life’s journey with Jesus. Our partners are not a special project and our trips achieve only a glimpse of the gift of the relationship we have as we accompany one another. Because “accompaniment” comes from the latin words “ad cum panis,” which means “with bread.” With bread that is broken together, Jesus is revealed in our midst.
Pray: Gracious God, thank you for opening our eyes to see you in our midst. Bless us as we walk with others, as we journey through this life, and as we remember your presence with us. Amen.
Carry On: Who do you typically break bread with and how do you do it? Perhaps over mealtime try incorporating conversation about the day, just like our characters from Luke’s Gospel. What was the best part of your day? What was the worst? How did you see God today?
ABCD
Stop: Imagine you have just arrived in Iringa, Tanzania. Maybe you’ve never been there before. Still, use your imagination. As you look around, what do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell?
Listen: Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Reflect: ABCD is short for “Asset-Based Community Development.” This is something we learned about in the Reimagining Mission Bible study series. Oftentimes we look at our community and only see problems to fix, needs to be met, or deficits. ABCD encourages us to see what strengths are already there and ask what God might already be up to.
My family and I are currently in Tanzania for a family trip. What did you imagine when you closed your eyes? Perhaps we’ve been conditioned to think of Tanzania as a “third-world,” “under-developed,” or “poor country.” But as you closed your eyes could you hear the beautiful music and singing?[1]
Did you notice the smell of flowers and fresh fruit? Did you see how our partners dropped everything to make you feel welcome, even cooking their one and only goat to prepare a generous feast? Did you see how hard the people work—most women with one or two children around her waist and bundles of dried goods for market balanced on their head?
It is a new thing to look through an asset-based lens. Instead of seeing what God ISN’T doing, we give thanks for all God HAS done, IS doing, and WILL do for each of us and our partners in Tanzania. Come to think of it, I believe God uses ABCD when God looks at us.
Here we are—sinners and unrighteous, selfish and foolish. Yet because of all God has done for us, God sees the righteousness of Jesus when God looks at us. God sees people who have gifts from the Holy Spirit to be used for loving and serving our neighbors. God sees us for who we really are and God loves us anyway.
Pray: Gracious God, give us new eyes to see our neighbors and your world. Help us to see the strengths in our church, community, and neighbors rather than the deficits. Bless our partners in Nyanzwa, Tanzania, as they use the many gifts you have given them to love and serve their neighbors. Amen.
Carry On: Is there a person or even organization that you constantly see the negative in? Take a moment to think of one or two strengths that person or organization has.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKTClWWoSO8&list=PLaOGbNiJWFGZfgHu4K2Ilxju5LPkFKKcH
Let Your Light Shine!
Like many of you, I look forward to spending time with my family on the 4th of July on the lake, grilling, eating too much and most importantly, watching fireworks. I love watching my children’s faces literally light up as each rocket explodes into a glorious display of light. “Oooo, Ahhh, I like that one, wait, that one was amazing too!”
What if that is how God watches us from above? Each of us shining His light in different ways using our unique gifts! One of the best ways we can be used by God is by simply being ourselves. We are all unique, beautiful, and amazing fireworks, designed to shine His love and light into the darkness. Matthew 5:16 says this: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. “
Let us pray: Gracious God. Thank you for uniquely creating us in magnificent ways. Like fireworks, none the same, but equally wondrous. Encourage us to shine brightly so others see your amazing light and love. Amen.
Knee-high by the Fourth of July
“Knee-high by the Fourth of July” is an old adage used by corn farmers near and far to measure the success of their crops come Independence Day. With advancements in technology, corn is typically much higher than knee-high by the 4th of July these days, so we can enjoy this summer favorite much sooner!
Corn on the cob and summer go hand in hand for me. (Or should I say, ear in hand?) I enjoy them plain, drenched in butter, with salt and pepper or even sprinkled with parmesan cheese and my favorite is grilled on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair! The challenge for me is to wait for them to be harvested in Minnesota.
Have you ever eaten corn on the cob that was harvested too early? It has no flavor. Or how about a tomato? Many farmers harvest their tomatoes when they are green so as not to bruise during transportation. Upon arrival, the green tomatoes are sprayed with oxygen to turn the skin red, but the inside is not as sweet the vine ripened.
We know God wants us to bear good fruit too, however, we need to be patient with ourselves and stay connected to Him…our vine. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Let us pray:
Gracious God, thank you for being my vine, nourishing my soul and giving me an abundant life. Help me to hold on to you tightly as the storms of life try my patience, tempting me to let go of you. Help me to bear fruit that will sweeten your world. Amen.
America the Beautiful
“America the Beautiful,” performed by Ray Charles, is one of the most popular songs used to celebrate the 4th of July. The lyrics are from a poem written by a teacher named Katharine Lee Bates after she visited Pike’s Peak in Colorado in 1893. Katharine was surprised by the popularity of her poem after it was printed in a weekly newspaper. Her patriotic lyrics were soon set to music to over sixty different arrangements, the most popular being S.A. Ward’s “Moterna.” Bates attributed the song’s popularity to the fact that Americans are “at heart idealists with a fundamental faith in human brotherhood.”
Can we say the same for Americans today? Are we still idealists? Do we have a fundamental faith in humanity? To be honest, some days, I am not so sure. Instead of idealism, I see pessimism. And instead of fellowship, I see ferocious division.
Galatians 5:13 says: For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers, and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Today, as we reflect on our country, I pray that we live out this verse in Galatians, and in all things, serve on another in love. We may not always agree with each other, but we must still love one other. And that’s not an easy task, but with God, all things are possible.
Instead of a closing prayer, I encourage you to read aloud the lyrics to Bate’s poem.
“AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL”
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refines
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Isaiah 43:3a
Stop.
Our devotions this week provide a different opportunity to reflect on God’s word and action in our lives. You’ll need a timer, a quiet spot, and about ten minutes for devotions each day this week. Have everything ready, take a deep breath, and hear a passage from tomorrow’s worship text.
Listen.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. – Isaiah 43:3a
Reflect.
In the faith practice known as Examen, we are invited to reflect on God’s word and our lives to better listen to God’s action in our lives and discern where God may be leading us. We’ve been using a version of this practice all week to engage with the upcoming Biblical reading in a different way. Set your timer for two minutes to reflect and pray about each of the following questions:
In Isaiah, God reminds us that God is our Lord, the Holy One, our Savior. Dwell in this truth. Let it reveal God to you in this very moment.
God fully claims our lives. God is “the Holy One of Israel”, the God of our ancestors and all of history. What comes to your mind as you think of your day and God’s constant presence? Offer your gratitude to God for all that God is and does.
What does it mean for you that God is your Lord, your Savior? What feelings does that bring up for you? What did it mean for you today?
God uses personal pronouns to describe our relationship. The Lord your God, your Savior. God is for you, today and always. As you look back on your day, how does that promise get revealed? Where do you see that God is truly for you? Spend time considering and praying about that now.
God’s promises are new for us each day. How will you watch for God’s presence tomorrow? What do you need from God to experience that love and care?
Pray.
God, you are my God. You save and redeem me. You are truly holy, and I worship you. Bless and keep me in your love, now and always. Amen.
Carry On.
What might a few minutes of additional quiet and reflection bring to your days and weeks? How might it help you be more aware of God’s presence in your life?
Isaiah 43:2b
Stop.
This week, our devotions will be based on a practice known as Examen. You’ll need a timer, a quiet spot, and about ten minutes for devotions each day this week. Get what you need, take a deep breath, and prepare to hear from our upcoming preaching text.
Listen.
…When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. – Isaiah 43:2b
Reflect.
In the practice known as Examen, we are invited to reflect on God’s word and our lives to better listen to God’s action in our lives and discern where God may be leading us. For many Christians, this daily practice invites reflection, devotion, and connection to God’s will. We will continue using it for our devotions this week as a way to experience and use other kinds of faith practices. Set a timer for two minutes to reflect and pray about each of the following questions, one at a time:
Take a deep breath. Allow yourself to be aware of God’s presence with you right now. Isaiah reminds us that God walks with us, even when we walk through fire. How have you felt God with you today?
God promises us protection, but doesn’t promise we will never struggle. Think back on your day. Where did God intervene to keep you moving? Thank God for this defense, guidance, or compassion.
What emotions dominated your day? Did you feel peaceful? Angry? Excited? Overwhelmed? What might God want to tell you about these reactions? Ask God to give you guidance and clarity.
It is easy to get caught up in the pain and hardships of your day. Isaiah says “when you walk through fire you shall not be burned” – Isaiah doesn’t promise we won’t face the fire. What will help you get through today’s fires or any fires that tomorrow might bring? Ask God to give you what you need.
In God, we have the promise that no pain or suffering will ever consume us. Look forward to tomorrow. How will this promise grant you comfort and hope?
Pray.
No matter what I face, God, you go with me. I am not alone. You love me. I thank you, God, for this promise to claim and keep me always, at all times, in any circumstance. Amen.
Carry On.
What questions came up for you during this process? Is there one question you want to keep at the top of your mind? Where can you write it down and consider it throughout the week?
Isaiah 43:1b
Stop.
We will revisit the devotional practice known as Examen this week. You’ll need a timer, a quiet spot, and about ten minutes for devotions each day this week. Get what you need, take a deep breath, and prepare to hear from our upcoming preaching text.
Listen.
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. – Isaiah 43:1b
Reflect.
This devotional space frequently helps us learn more about a text and find a way to connect it to our faith lives this week. This week, the text will guide us in a process called Examen. This style of meditative, listening prayer invites you to reflect on the day and discern God’s leading through the events. For each devotion this week, you will get five questions to reflect on based on the verse you read. Set your timer for two minutes to reflect on and pray about each question. Allow yourself to hear what God might be saying, even if all you hear is an invitation to be quiet and still:
In Isaiah, God says, “I have called you by name; you are mine.” Where did you hear God calling you today?
What does it mean to you that you belong to God and are redeemed by God? Dwell in this thought. Take time to thank God for claiming and calling you.
Look through your day. Can you find one moment, conversation, event, or task that seems to stand out to you? How do you feel God’s claim on you in that situation?
God calls us to not fear in Isaiah. What makes you afraid today? Ask God to give you a heart of love and peace in the face of that which frightens you.
How will God’s promise to redeem, claim, and keep you safe grant you confidence and endurance this week?
Pray.
I praise you, God, because you love me no matter what. I rejoice that I belong to you. Keep me in your care, defend me from any evil, and call me always to service of your word and my neighbor. Amen.
Carry On.
How will these questions guide your awareness of God’s presence in your life today? This week? All month?
Psalm 80:19
Stop.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Picture God’s face shining on you in whatever way is meaningful to you. Take a few moments to thank God for God’s love and joy in your presence.
Listen.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. – Psalm 80:19
Reflect.
Last week, Deacon Krista Lind joined us in worship. She preached on Psalm 80 and talked about the ways this psalm and its themes of restoration felt meaningful to her lately. Her words were especially meaningful knowing that she will be our St. Paul Area Synod representative in the call process we will soon go through to find a new pastor after Pastor Brandon leaves on July 31.
By now, I hope you have received and read the letter sent out on Friday the 17th. If you haven’t already, please wait to read the rest of this devotion until you’ve read that letter. In it, you will read that Pastor Steve is also leaving Easter Lutheran Church to take a position with Luther Seminary. He will be leaving on the same day as Pastor Brandon. This means that Deacon Lind will now guide us through two call processes through the year ahead.
This can feel overwhelming. I know it has for me. I am confident not only in the synod’s support and the strength of the congregation, but in the goodness of God and the guidance of the Spirit that will support us as we say meaningful goodbyes to two of our beloved pastors and prepare our hearts to receive two new ones.
All week, these devotions have helped us think about change. Today, we think again about restoration. Restoration doesn’t necessarily mean bringing things to what they once were, but rather, bringing us to a new place where God’s love can continue to be known among us. God builds something new, recentered in God’s mission in the world, strengthened again to serve in Christ’s name. These new changes at Easter will do the same. We will come through a time of transition, restored and renewed so that we might grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ in new ways.
Pray.
God, bless Pastors Steve and Brandon in their new calls. I praise you for their ministry here at Easter. Call our faith community together in this time of change, refocus us on your work among us, and restore us in ways we couldn’t imagine to serve to your glory. Amen.
Carry On.
While there will be a party on July 31 to celebrate Pastors Brandon and Steve, you are welcome to share with them what their ministries have meant to you. Send them a card and share one thing that’s meant the most to you about their time at Easter.
Lamentations 3:21-23
Stop.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Repeat the words, “Great is your faithfulness”. Breathe in and out, repeating these words for as long as you need.
Listen.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:21-23
Reflect.
We don’t often read from the book of Lamentations. As the title would suggest, the book is indeed full of lament. It gives voice to pain, frustration, and loss, much like other wisdom literature (Psalms and Proverbs, for instance) does. While it can be hard to hear, it does give voice to these emotions and claims them for God. The fullness of human experience finds a place in scripture.
It can be surprising to hear how these verses have found a place in our tradition. For instance, even though we don’t hear from Lamentations much, you might recognize that these verses sound familiar. These lines provide the basis for the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (ELW 733), a hymn of great power and faith sung for many generations in our churches. From a place of loss and pain come words of hope and confidence.
When we endure loss, change, confusion, and frustration, it can be easy to wonder, “Why would God do this to us?” But instead, this passage invites us to say: in the face of all that I cannot control, God, your faithfulness is great. Just as on Tuesday we talked about how God does not change, Lamentations invites us to trust in God’s faithfulness, especially through difficult times.
We can rely on our God. When things feel heavy and overwhelming, our God remains faithful.
Pray.
Great is your faithfulness, God. I rejoice in all the ways that you show me your love, care, and guidance. As I share all my griefs and sorrows with you, I ask that you would send your peace as you always do. Amen.
Carry On.
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is just one hymn that quotes scripture. What about about your favorite song? Look up the lyrics to your favorite music that we sing in worship. Can you find what Bible passages it might reference?
James 1:17
Stop.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Envision yourself surrounded by warm, beautiful light. Take time in this vision to thank God for always walking with you.
Listen.
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. – James 1:17
Reflect.
We talk about change a lot these days because it feels a lot like everything has changed – or continues to change too quickly. This can leave us disoriented and disheartened. Into this feeling we hear this verse from James promising us that all good things come from our God who leads and guides us and does not change. Our God is constant, always going with us.
Notice that it doesn’t say that what God does won’t change. We have a whole Bible that bears witness to the many ways that God’s actions and responses have changed. Throughout history, God responds to our needs to provide what we need: restoration, correction, challenge, or hope. Sometimes, God’s action depends on what we’ve done in the first place, meaning our unchanging God must change direction based on what we have done. All of this is good, as it shows us a God who cares about us and this world and continues to respond to and interact with it.
The comfort in the unchanging God of James isn’t that God will always do the same thing. It’s that we can always trust God to be God, guiding us in peace, hope, and love. God shines on us, showing us the way, leading us through many changes, letting generosity and grace shine through us. Whenever we feel like there’s too much change, we can return to these promises, knowing our unchanging God continues to be at work among us.
Pray.
God, sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the changes of life. Shine on me today. Surround me with your light. Guide me in your truth. Call me to acts of kindness and generosity that point others to your unchanging love. Amen.
Carry On.
Calling God “the Father of lights” is a unique title for God in James. How can picturing God as light guide you this week?