Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
Spring in the Church
As spring breathes new life into the world, we witness the meticulous preparation of gardens. Our Karen neighbors are eagerly assembling their supplies and bringing their plots out of their winter slumbers. Seeds are sown, soil is cultivated, and roots begin to take hold. In these moments of anticipation, we can see the parallels between the nurturing of a garden and the formation of the early Christian church.
Just as a gardener carefully tends to each plant, the apostle Paul dedicated himself to nurturing the fledgling church in places like Corinth. He planted the seeds of faith, watering them with his teachings and guidance. The Corinthians, like tender shoots, eagerly absorbed the nourishment of Paul’s wisdom and the gospel message.
Yet, like a garden beset by weeds, the Corinthian church faced challenges. Divisions, moral disagreement, and theological misunderstandings threatened to choke their spiritual growth. But just as a gardener diligently removes weeds, Paul addressed these issues with love (and a fair amount of correction), cultivating unity and spiritual growth among the believers.
Through Paul’s efforts and the grace of God, the Corinthian church flourished. Like a garden in full bloom, they became a testament to the transformative power of faith. Their unity, love, and dedication to Christ served as a beacon of hope to surrounding communities.
This spring, we’re preparing a new garden plot for our church campus. This one for the benefit of our neighbors living in the Sacred Settlement. Nutrient-rich dirt has been moved into place and soon a fence will be raised to protect the growing plants to come. With comparable effort, we’ll continue growing the community of support we’re using to surround the chronically homeless with God’s love.
As we tend to our gardens this spring, let’s reflect on the parallels with the early Christian church. May we too cultivate our faith with care, removing the weeds of doubt and division, and allow the love of Jesus to blossom in our hearts and in our backyards.
May God’s peace find you today. -Pastor Peter
Let us pray… God of the garden, as we prepare the soil and sow seeds this spring, may we nurture faith like gardens. Help us remove weeds that distract, cultivating unity and love. Amen.
Previously…
The Company We Keep
“Be careful of the company you keep.” These may not have been the exact words I heard from my parents as I was growing up, but the message was clear. And I’m sure I passed the same idea on to my sons. Who we choose to associate with can make a profound difference in our lives.
Thistle
In the bustling Greek city of Thessalonica, amidst the tumultuous winds of opposition, Paul and Silas planted the seeds of faith. The Book of Acts and Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians recounts their journey, marked by fervent preaching and fierce opposition. Like the resilient thistle that thrives in harsh conditions, their mission faced adversity, yet it bore the fruit of perseverance.
Springtime Courage
The irises in my flower beds started growing this week. In just a few days, the shoots have extended almost a foot out of the ground. Has spring really sprung or will another cold snap steal away the joy that is emerging at my front step? It’s a question that resonates deeply with the life of faith. Just as the irises tentatively push through the soil, we too may feel hesitant in our own faith journeys, uncertain of whether the promise of new life will truly be fulfilled.
Embracing Needs in the Community with Grace
The first time listening through, it sounded as though we are supposed to give up all of our belongings and possessions to then share them with everyone. How does that sit with us as a society living in 2024? Most people I know are very materialistic, including myself.