Not Without Hope

Devotions from John 5:1-9

In this reading the lame man feels he has no options. 

(a true definition of poverty = no options) 

He cannot get into the pool by himself. 

He feels there is no one to help him. 

His situation would be discouraging for anyone.

But then, Jesus comes and heals the man, 

fills the man’s life with hope and a future.

This photo is of the Pool of Bethesda as it looks today.
(from my recent Dec 2019-Jan 2020 Holy Land Trip) 

At the top we can see people’s homes of the 21^st century,

 below that (see the pointed arch on the right)

 is from the time of the Crusaders in the 11^th and 12^th century.

 Further down is excavation from the Byzantine Era – 4^th century and finally, 

at the very bottom is the 1^st century Pool of Bethesda. 

In fact, just outside the bottom edge of the picture 

you could see the columns that would have held up 

the colonnade that is referenced in the reading.

 I thought about this picture and the Kingdom work that is before us. 

 I could not help but think that there are schools, congregations 

and ministries in the geographic boundaries of the Southeastern District

 that remind me of the lame man.  

They may feel as if they have no options. 

They can see where they want to go, 

they may have a vision of mission but without help, 

they cannot get where the Spirit is calling them.

I do think MALIM (MidAtlantic Lutherans in Mission) 

IS and CAN BE a very real expression 

of the love of Jesus to congregations, ministries and schools

 in need of a little help. I think we are in an exciting time

 with abundant opportunities right on our doorstep.  

My prayer is that with the Spirit’s wisdom, 

we move forward to encourage the work of God’s mission.

We Pray:

Gracious God, we come to your Word 

to know how you would have us live in this world. 

Bless our lives and time together that we might

 be a blessing to others. Move your Spirit among us t

o fill us with the vision, wisdom and boldness necessary 

to carry out the work you have placed before us.  Amen.

This was a devotion for a MALIM Board of Directors Meeting

 written by Deaconess Robie Hillhouse.

To find out more about the work of MALIM-

Facebook-Mid Atlantic Lutherans in Mission
malim.org
https://www.malim.org