Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
Despairing or hopeful?
Today’s author is Prince of Peace’s Intentional Interim, Pr. Steve Sylvester.
Despairing or hopeful? With everything going on around us, which of those two describes you these days? There are times when it’s all I can do just to lift my eyes from the abyss in order to back away from the edge, and it’s probably overstating things to say I am even less despairing. But this week, reading about Paul and Ananias in Acts chapter 9, I find that I am hopeful.
Paul is the ICE agent driving his SUV from Jerusalem to Damascus, windows tinted to the max, preparing to unleash holy hell on fearful residents. Ananias is the immigrant sheltering in place and wondering why the powers that be can’t just let those in the hinterlands get on with their lives. Set up like this, it’s difficult not to be despairing about the outcome, much less hopeful. What changes the inevitable storyline, however, is that the creator continues to create.
“Saul!” “Ananias!” The Lord calls to each of them. Saul is confronted with the hard truth that the ripples of his hatred extend even into heaven. Ananias is encouraged to believe that the Lord sees possibilities he himself cannot even imagine. And then the two of them are brought together to actively participate in God’s continuing creation, because God is not going to work a fix from the outside. Possibility then becomes promise when Ananias places his hands on Saul and calls him brother.
This is a wonderful time on the 45th parallel, and the lengthening of days and greening of the earth may have something to do with the blooming of my mood. What truly accounts for my hope, though, is the promise that our God who continues to create enlists us to bring into being things that seem impossible. Division and destruction are not our destiny. Despair will not be our lot if we respond to God’s call to us by embracing one another as siblings. Of that I am hopeful.
Previously…
Live with Love
Today's author is Prince of Peace member, Milt Warkentien. What do you think of when you think of Jesus? For me LOVE is first and foremost. Jesus had love for all people but wasn’t afraid to speak up for justice. Following Jesus seems so simple, but in reality,...
Called to Deeper Waters
Yesterday, we listened to Jesus’ call to the disciples in Luke 5:1-11. So too, Jesus challenges us to leave behind the familiar and step boldly into God’s transformative work. When Peter follows Jesus, he leaves behind his livelihood to embrace a mission of justice, compassion, and inclusion. This same call reaches us today, urging us to respond in ways that reflect God’s love for the world. Here are the four ways I suggested that we can respond to Jesus’ call to deeper waters…
The Unity That Challenges Us All
In her sermon during the Jan. 21 Service of National Prayer and referencing Jesus’ own preaching, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde reminded us that unity is not achieved through avoidance of conflict or shallow consensus. Instead, it requires the hard work of seeking justice for the marginalized, reconciling with those we’d rather avoid, and being courageous enough to disrupt systems that perpetuate inequality.
Jesus Brings Life
Today's author is Prince of Peace member, Joyce Armstrong. Luke 7:1-17 Our verses today show us two ways Jesus brought life to people. The first person we meet is a Roman centurion, stationed in Capernaum – who was in charge of one hundred men. Apparently, he was one...