Daily Devotions
New devotions are posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
God Calls You
Today’s devotional author is Prince of Peace member, Gary Olson.
We all receive calls from God. Those calls most often come to us in natural ways— through the skills and talents, the interests that are within us and which motivate us to pursue certain paths in life. Sometimes God calls us through people who know us and recognize the talents and inclinations we have. Sometimes God calls us through our circumstances.
I never intended to go to college, much less seminary. My family could not afford to support me in such a path. So, I resolved to get a job after high school and make a living. That would have been a worthwhile life in my home town. But I had a high school English teacher who kept pushing me. “You are going to college,” he said. “You need to go to college,” he said. He kept pushing me and pushing me academically. I was a reluctant scholar. He saw to my temporary suspension from the wrestling team because I earned a “D” at mid-term in one of my classes. I was embarrassed. He drove me 17 miles to Northfield to St. Olaf College’s Boe Chapel. He had me kneel on the steps before the altar. He told me to pray for God’s support and guidance, for God’s direction for my life. It went on for a while. I don’t know what Mr. Amberg saw in me but it was more than I saw.
God saw something in Moses. Moses was in a good position for God to use him to do God’s will—lead the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and to life in Palestine. Moses was in a good position because he was the son of a Hebrew slave woman and her slave husband; he was also the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He could work both sides of that situation.
Moses ran away because he had defended a slave from an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating him. In the fight, Moses killed the taskmaster. He ran to Midian got married and tended sheep.
God appeared in the flames of a burning bush that was not consumed. I don’t know how—God’s ways are some times mysterious. God called Moses to go back to Egypt and lead his people out. Moses was a reluctant disciple, a reluctant leader. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out…?” God said, “I will be with you;….”
“I will be with you;…” and you, and you, and you. That’s God’s promise. God sees much in you. God calls you, whatever your talents. and God’s promise is sure, “I will be with you;….”
Prayer: Dear Lord, you have made us yours in birth and in Christ Jesus. We have talents and gifts. Help us to use the talents you have given us. Thank you for your promise to be “with us” as we live our lives in your presence. Amen.
Previously…
Living Water, Healing Trees, God’s Light
To obtain my Master of Theology degree in Biblical Studies from Union Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, I had to successfully complete a master’s thesis. My first conversation about my thesis topic was with Old Testament professor Sibley Towner. I told him I wanted to do a thesis on “Preaching Apocalyptic Bible Texts.”
All Things Will Be Made New
And so, we come to the end of a wild ride, a bumpy journey through the book of Revelation. I, for one, am glad that Pastor Walter wanted to conduct us on this journey. Revelation is filled with wonder and imagination while also being strange and fear-inducing. It’s no wonder so many theological reflections and downright theological hokum has been spent on this book. It’s like staring at a mysterious and dark painting and trying to decipher what it all means.
Time Together
It has been a great blessing to serve as the Interim Lead Pastor while Pr Peter has been on sabbatical. In the first part of our time together in April/May, I focused in these devotions on “sabbatical” and its many dimensions for Pr Peter and the congregation. My prayer is that the sabbatical experience has been a time for prayer, study, recreation, and fun for Pr Peter. I also encouraged everyone to create a sense of sabbath when you can disconnect from the busyness of life and let God renew the bond of love with you. Sabbath/sabbaticals are a blessing!
What an Adventure
The study of the Book of Revelation has been quite an adventure! From our opening discussion about the abuse of the book of some theories based upon a puzzle of Biblical quotations, we have delved into the prophecy of John of Patmos by reading Revelation with helpful tools developed by Dr Criag Koester at Luther Seminary.