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.