Devotional for the week of September 27th, 2020
Today’s gospel questions what it means to believe in something. Belief can be exhibited by actions or in words, but true belief is displayed when the two contradict each other. We may say we do not believe in monsters under our bed. However, if upon hearing a noise underneath us at night, we clutch the blanket a little tighter around us, do we still claim to not believe in monsters? Believing in something or someone does more than affect our mind. It influences our behavior. It informs our actions and changes our character.

Believing in Jesus is not a cognitive experience alone. If it were, we’d be like the second son who professes to do the will of the father, but doesn’t. Rather, our actions are the mirrors of our belief, reflecting our faith outward. This is why worship is structured to rehearse our patterns of behavior for the world. In worship, we gather to practice accountability, interdependence, passing the peace, and turning toward God. Our faith shapes us to live in the world according to God’s principles of justice, mercy, and kindness.

When we believe in something, we give authority to it, whether the belief is spoken or enacted. This is why the words “I believe in you” before a feat of courage are often so powerfully effective. Knowing that someone believes in you bestows authority and strength. It moves you from thought to action, making it possible to boldly live into whatever is believed of you.

God believes in you. This does not mean there is a divine being out there who merely believes that you exist. This is not a passive form of believing. God believes in you and gives you authority to live boldly as a disciple of Jesus. Just as Jesus’ authority came from God, so does your authority to do what you have been sent to do. “You can do it,” God encourages. “I believe in you!”

 

Devotional message and art based on the readings for September 27th, reprinted from sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

 

Devotional for the week of September 13th, 2020
Churches have different practices around baptism. In some churches, a small bowl holds just enough water to trickle a few drops over the head. In others, the bowl is wider and the water is splashed with the whole hand. In yet other churches, the person is fully immersed in a font large enough for them to go all the way underwater. Sometimes the water stays in the bowl, sometimes a bit splashes out, and sometimes the whole area around the font gets wet. But no matter the amount of water used, there’s always more where it comes from. God’s waters of forgiveness run deeper than we will ever know.

The waters of baptism are so deep that even a few sprinkles cover a lifetime of falling short. We are forgiven time and again for a myriad of sins. And because the weight of sin has been lifted from us, we are free to extend such forgiveness to others.

In fact, our faith depends on it. In the Lord’s Prayer, our petition for forgiveness is directly tied to our own willingness to forgive others: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Thankfully, we are not expected to conjure up such forgiveness on our own. We draw from the endless supply of divine reserves. Where we, and Peter, might have difficulty forgiving a mere seven times, Jesus reminds us that his kind of forgiveness can be measured on an exponential scale.

While our capacity for forgiveness may be limited, Jesus’ well of forgiveness is deep enough for all people and all matters of sin. When we find ourselves struggling to extend forgiveness to others, we return to the baptismal font. This is an overflowing well of love. Drawing from this water, we draw from the limitless supply of forgiveness.

Remembering our baptism, we are reminded not only that we are forgiven, but that we, too, are agents of forgiveness in the world.

 

Devotional message and art based on the readings for September 13th, reprinted from sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

 

September 9, 2020

God sings for joy because of you

Honestly, it was only a few years ago that I first heard this Scripture verse read in a worship service-really heard it:

“The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty enough to save you. He will take great delight in you. The quietness of his love will calm you down. He will sing with joy because of you.”
ZEPHANIAH 3:17 | NIRV

He will sing with joy because of you! BECAUSE OF YOU.
Somehow I had missed this. Either I wasn’t listening or I just couldn’t hear it.
The God who created all that is and called it good is here, comforting, protecting, taking delight, even rejoicing in that creation. In me. In you.
Why would God delight in us?
These days I often find myself wondering what’s so wonderful about all this, about all of us, about me, that God would be rejoicing, singing. How can that be?
Then today a fellow artist who is also a first responder reminds me of how, in the midst of the fatigue of these days, she places her hope in the Mighty One who continues to hold her and those she cares for. And she makes sure that they can see the smile in her eyes behind her protective gear.
In a phone conversation, a friend shares so many new and creative ways she has found, in these recent months of isolation and physical-distancing, to help connect family and friends via online get-togethers.
I experience the gift of conversation, laughter, homemade bread and time spent with dear friends.
Because God loves us
Then I know this day, despite the messy, disturbing uncertainties around us, God does not leave us but surrounds us with the quietness and comfort of Love.
God gives us gifts so we can be part of sharing that love, and maybe even adding to the song of joy.

Diane Harpster, Certified Spiritual Director

September 2, 2020

As I sit down to share my thoughts with you, my house is very noisy. I simultaneously feel lonely. Our home is fairly small and fairly busy right now. My husband, working from home, is on a conference call on a speaker phone back in the office. The baby monitor occasionally squawks as our 10-month-old granddaughter declines her nap, and our 11-month-old puppy is asking to be let in and out. Repeatedly.

Deep Breath!

It’s difficult to slow down so suddenly.

I’ve been reading and listening to inspirational and spiritual folks talking about slowing down and being present; taking our extra down time as a gift, a mini “retreat” as it were. No need for anyone to rush here and there and to stay connected via social media, Zoom meetings, phone calls, etc. I’d like to say I am one of these people, but I must admit, I’m finding it hard not to “waste a perfectly good pandemic” as my pastor would say.

The slower pace allows me time to look at those things
in my life that are much easier to ignore when I’m running
as fast as I can.
ELLEN KEENAN

Anyone who knows me well won’t be surprised when I confess, I’m a bit of an introvert. You might guess I enjoy all of this “alone” time. But as mentioned above, I’m not so alone and also, I’m actually feeling rather lonely and at loose ends. There’s a hum of anxiety right below the surface as I try to give the day more structure and navigate this “freedom” that doesn’t feel very free.
The gift and the difficulty of quiet is seeing things in life that we’d rather ignore.
The slower pace allows me time to look at those things in my life that are much easier to ignore when I’m running as fast as I can. The worries we’ve had before this began can loom larger when given more time on our hands. People feeling lonely and isolated may feel more so. Those struggling with relationships, financial strains, long term illnesses, and other of life’s many challenges may feel these stresses even more in combination with the uncertainty of the pandemic.
The book of Lamentations may be a strange place to look for inspiration during this time, and yet somehow appropriate. One of my favorite passages is found in Chapter 3:21-24, “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.”
Yet, God is profoundly faithful. Always.
This reminds us of an important truth amid whatever storms we’re facing. Each new day is filled with new blessings and God’s continual faithfulness.
The hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” says it as well. “ . . . Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!”
We’ll get through this day by day knowing God’s steadfast love is with us, never changing, filling us with hope. Maybe I’ll be able to “not waste this perfectly good pandemic” after all.
– Ellen Keenan, Certified Spiritual Director