Devotion - Resilient Courage

 

1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10

In this week's epistle lesson         Paul affirms a house church in Thessalonica He praises the members for their “work of faith,  Labors of love, and enduring hope”   That three legged stool is  the Christian life Faith’s certainty in our mind Drives the compassion of our heart Both of which hang on hope   This hope is not wishful thinking         But a resilient courage To accept the gospel’s promise         Through every season of our life   It is sometimes hard to hold onto such hope         As life often wars against it Caught by our fears and societal doubt         Faith’s promise seems fragile   Then we  recall that  our hope is grounded  in the singular event of the cross  God’s extraordinary love offered freely         For we most ordinary people   Life events may wound us         People’s actions may hurt us But no one and no thing         Can change God’s love for us    Filled with that certainty         We live our life With unequivocal faith         And unending servanthood   By doing so, we offer to others         A glimpse of what life was meant to be And an invitation to enter         God’s unending embrace Thanks to Rev. Don Schaefer- Southeastern District Mission and Ministry Facilitator for this Devotion.

Devotion- Divisions to Cease

 

Philippians 4: 1-9 Differences of opinion Create divisions of heart Changing how we look at  And think about each other Yesterday’s epistle lesson Acknowledges such a division Two faithful Christians in the church at Philippi Were divided and creating disunity Paul’s response is a plea For the divisions to cease He encourages instead an overall rejoicing So that the community can refocus on mission In our present moment in America We live among many differences of opinion Driven by big questions with elusive answers There is among us a great division of heart Paul’s words encourage us to refocus To learn again how to rejoice This begins with seeing one another  As children of God with gifts to share The encouragement to do so Comes from the cross Through which all are equally redeemed Each one precious in God’s sight It is easier to see differences Before we see likenesses But the gospel calls us to a larger vision Shaped by God’s unconditional love As we live less in a spirit of dividing And more in a spirit of dividing All are brought closer to God’s infinite love And a wholeness of heart

Thank you to LCMS Southeastern District facilitator- Rev. Donald Schaefer for this devotional reflection.