Simply Soul Searching

HOLY WEEK: RECOLLECTION

[These remaining Holy Week devotions will be a recollection of the last days that Jesus experienced and endured. Merriam Webster defines recollection as “the action or power of recalling to mind; something recalled to the mind.” But a second definition struck me: “tranquility of mind; religious contemplation.” May our recollection of the life and love of Jesus as shown in his final days bring us a deeper and humbler appreciation, a quiet and contemplative spirit, and most of all, the peace and tranquility in knowing that, through it all, Jesus has overcome the world.]

REVISIT

Mark 14:3-11 (NRSV)

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

This story is retold in Matthew 26, but in John 12, the story is changed a bit. In John’s story, Jesus is at the home of Lazarus, and the woman who anoints him is Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha. Often times when we retell or revisit a memory, the story evolves and changes. We may have learned additional information since the first telling. We may see certain moments with greater clarity and importance as part of a bigger story.  We may gain a new perspective as time passes and we mature. To revisit a moment or memory is to reenter that moment, and to reconsider, reexamine, reevaluate, or rethink the experience. Today our word is revisit.

When we read the Holy Week stories in our Bible, we revisit the events of that week through the words of the Gospel writers. The stories were actually written some years after these days had passed. Had we lived in Jesus’ time, we would not have known what was happening behind the scenes with the religious leaders, understood why certain decisions or actions were taken, or realized where Jesus’ life was leading. We may find it easy to be critical of people who made terrible judgments and decisions about Jesus back then. But these people simply didn’t have all of the information- or the rest of the story that we have.

In this passage, just before the Passover, the woman (or Mary) intended to comfort and bless Jesus with her act of adoration. Had she anticipated the anger that would result from using expensive nard to anoint Jesus, she may have decided against doing this. The anointing even seemed to be the final straw for Judas, who then began planning to betray Jesus. She also upset some of the rest of the disciples, and perhaps Jesus’ words of his burial confused and dismayed them, too.

Could her generous act have contributed to the betrayal by Judas? If she had known where the next few days would take them all, could she have possibly changed the outcome?  I am sure many of Jesus’ enthusiastic followers wondered what they had done wrong, or what they could have done differently, in those last confusing and frightening days when their plans began drastically falling apart.

But now when we revisit this woman’s story, we see how it was a necessary piece of the puzzle. There was more to her simple act of anointing than Judas or the others realized. Jesus used her act of love and adoration to foretell what was to come, to show that he was being prepared for his burial. He tried to share this deeper meaning with his disciples. In fact, he even said that what she had done would always be remembered as part of the good news story!

The woman did one simple act of love with good intentions. In the context of the rest of the story, the act became a terrible factor in Judas’ decision to betray Jesus. In the context of the rest of Jesus’ story, the act became a significant gesture of love, as well as a powerful symbol for Jesus to show the disciples what was to come.

When we revisit the stories of our lives, we may remember times when our good intentions did not result in good outcomes. Or we may recall times that didn’t make sense. We made decisions based solely on the information we had at that time, unable to see where they would lead. But if we allow Jesus to revisit these stories with us, retelling them from his perspective, showing us the deeper meaning, we may see how they fit as a necessary piece of our puzzle. It is all in the revisiting, isn’t it?

Precious Jesus,

As we revisit these last dark days of your earthly life, please guide our understanding and comprehension, so that we may truly see your story the way you would want us to see it. Retell your story to us in such a way that we deepen in love and grow as your followers. And when we revisit our own stories, help us to hear your retelling of them, that we may find their significance and meaning. Help us to revisit and retell our story- as part of your true story- with the world. Amen.

WEEK SIX: RESPONSE

REACH

John 15: 12-17 (NRSV)

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Isaiah 41:13

For I, the Lord your God,
    hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Do not fear,
    I will help you.”

On this last day to consider our response to all of God’s goodness, this is what it all comes down to, isn’t it? Everything that Jesus lived and died for are summed up in his final words of encouragement and instruction to his disciples, his friends: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” We are included as his disciples now. Our first priority as followers and friends of Jesus is to reach out to others with his love. This is our word for today: Reach.

After he gives us our mission, Jesus goes on to give us beautiful words of love and blessing. Jesus assures us that he has taught us everything we need to know- everything that he knows from God the Father. He promises us that, as his friends, God will continue to give us all that we ask in order to bear fruit for him, the fruit of love and life for the world. We are to reach others with these fruits of Christ’s love.

Earlier in this chapter of John, Jesus tells us that he is the vine while we are the branches. All that we need to bear and share the fruit of his love comes by being connected with Jesus. We are unable to generate this love on our own. We are only the connecting conduit between Jesus and those we are called to love and help. The love of God flows from Jesus -> through us -> to others.

Isaiah also gives us such a lovely image of connection. God holds our right hand, and we are not to fear. God will help us! God has reached out to us through his Son, Jesus, and God continues to lovingly reach out to everyone. As we cling to God’s hand and then make the next connection by reaching for others, we help extend God’s gracious reach of love.

Envision placing one of our hands in the right hand of Jesus, then reaching out with our other hand to extend that love to others…

Someone is floundering in the tumult of uncertainty and chaos; we reach out as an extension of the strong, stable, anchoring hand of Jesus.

Someone is grieving in the emptiness of loss and heartbreak; we reach out as an extension of the compassionate, comforting, restoring hand of Jesus.

Someone is lost in the darkness of despair; we reach out as an extension of the guiding, illuminating hand of Jesus.

Someone is wallowing in the abyss of pain; we reach out as an extension of the healing, soothing, uplifting hand of Jesus.

Someone is lingering in the shadow of loneliness; we reach out as an extension of the loving, welcoming, clasping hand of Jesus.

Someone is hiding in the closet of fear; we reach out as an extension of the peaceful, reassuring, trustworthy hand of Jesus.

Someone is defensively building a protective wall of isolation; we reach out as an extension of the wounded, empathetic, open hand of Jesus.

We are the branches of the vine. We are the extending conduit for Jesus’ love to flow to others. How might we reach out with that love to make the connection today?

Far-reaching God,

Thank you for reaching us with your love through Jesus. We cling to that love as branches cling to a vine. Help us to produce good fruits of your love and goodness for others to partake. We hold your right hand. Guide us to reach out to others as we let your love flow through us. Amen.

WEEK SIX: RESPONSE

RESEMBLE

2 Corinthians 3: 17-18 (NRSV)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

In this week of responding to God’s goodness, today our word is Resemble. We are actually “being transformed into the image” of Jesus, and we are called to “be imitators of God.” I like to think that the longer we live with the Spirit’s presence within, we will naturally become more and more like Christ. (I’ve heard it said that married people begin to look more alike the longer they live together!) As Paul says in 2 Corinthians, the Spirit is the one transforming us as we contemplate the glory of Jesus. Keeping our eyes on Jesus as we allow the Spirit to move within us, we will increasingly begin to resemble him.

People can resemble Jesus in many different ways, can’t they? We can see Jesus in the courageous one who works for justice, or the selfless one who serves those in need. We see Jesus in one who is a gentle and contemplative soul, as well as another who is a lively and humorous public speaker. People who resemble Jesus have a variety of different personalities and ways of serving.

There is often something deeper shining in these people who resemble Jesus, underlying their acts of service and unique personalities. An inner countenance of peace, assurance and love centers and guides them. They are humble, lowly and selfless. In their presence, one feels a genuine, joyful warmth. Today I think of my friend, Heidi, who for me is a wonderful example of all of these qualities.

Thirty nine years ago I wrote in my journal, “There is nothing like the happiness of someone glad to see you.” This holds true for me today. To be seen, to be appreciated, to feel as if you are bringing someone joy by your mere presence, is so affirming and uplifting! When I am in Heidi’s presence, I feel Christ’s presence. By her delighted expression, her attentive care, and her interest in my life, she makes me feel precious, treasured and important.  Jesus’ love for people is readily and visibly shared through Heidi’s love for others.

So perhaps how we most resemble Jesus is not through our image but how others see themselves in our presence. We resemble Jesus when we reflect the light of Christ onto them. It’s as if we serve as a mirror for others to see themselves in the Light of Love. Have you noticed how the romantic light on makeup mirrors or in cozy restaurants has a soft rosy glow that diminishes our blemishes and imperfections? In shining the light of Christ onto others, we help them see their beauty, potential, worth, and best qualities. We help them see themselves as Jesus would see them, beloved and treasured. We resemble Jesus not just by the way others see us, but in the way they see themselves in the Light of Christ- the soft, radiant Light of Love.

Jesus, Light of Love,
We want to resemble YOU for others! Help us to grow in your likeness. Keep working in us, guiding us, and changing us until we glow with your Light of love. Help us to mirror to others your soft, loving and perfecting gaze upon them. Amen.

WEEK SIX: RESPONSE

READY

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NRSV)

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.

Luke 9:59-62 (NRSV)

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

There are several stories in the Bible that warn us to be ready! One of the harshest ones is this passage from Luke. Jesus invites a few people to follow him, but he won’t excuse them to first bury a father or even to say goodbye to those at home! We learn that his call, “Follow me,” is immediate and urgent. Jesus needs them- now. Perhaps he knows he will not be passing by this way again; this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them. There is no time to wait!

In thinking more about these two unfortunate folks, I wonder if they would have reacted differently had they heard that Jesus was on his way and had planned to invite them. “If I had known you were coming, I would have been ready.” They probably would have been ready to go- hurrying to bury the deceased, saying goodbye to loved ones, preparing themselves to leave home. How sad that they may have simply just been caught off guard.

Therein lies the difference for us. We know that Jesus is here. We know that his calls to new ventures will come, even if we are unsure exactly when or how or where. Now is the time to be ready, to prepare for Jesus’ call to follow him.

How do we ready ourselves? First, we need to be ready for immediate response when we are called to serve or follow. When Jim served as an on-call nighttime chaplain, he had to be ready to go- right when he was needed.  He stayed in the vicinity of the hospital. He kept his pager on. He had his overnight bag packed and prepared. He anticipated being called, so he was alert, attentive, and prepared for action.

We can be ready to respond immediately if we stay connected to God, “in the vicinity of God,” through prayer and presence. We will be able to respond with our lives in order because we have anticipated the call. If we know we will be called at some time, we are alert, attentive and prepared for action. We ready ourselves by turning to God for our equipping- asking for courage, insight, strength, words to say- anything we may need to serve well in large or small ways.

But we also ready ourselves by taking inventory of what we have to offer, how we are equipped to serve, and in what ways God has been preparing us uniquely for service. Jim had prepared in advance for this ministry. He studied at seminary, he completed five units of Clinical Pastoral Education, and was ordained as a Lutheran pastor. He had years of experience in ministry. His background, education, experience and faith all helped him to serve well as a chaplain. He loves caring for, praying with, listening to and helping people. Jim was being prepared to serve even before taking this position.

We will be able to discern God’s call more clearly when we know ourselves well. We prepare by creating a “profile” of our gifts and talents, where our personalities best shine and serve, what our interests and passions are, or how our experiences have formed and shaped us for service. We do a spiritual review of our lives and our natures, discerning the ways God has equipped and directed us. To be ready for our moment of call, we take stock of all the things that were leading up to this moment of call. Then, when we hear Jesus calling, we can answer with certainty, “Now THIS is what I was created to do!”

“I’ll be ready. I’m not sure for what exactly. But maybe that’s what being ready really means.” ~Holly Goldberg Sloan (film producer, novelist)

Finally, we ready ourselves by being open. I love this quote. We prepare and are ready with no expectations- except that God will use us. We ready ourselves by being flexible, ready for anything. We ready ourselves by viewing each new moment as a possible opportunity to serve God. Today might just be the day we hear Jesus say, “Follow me- I have something new for you to do!”

Calling Jesus,

We await your calls with eager anticipation. Keep us alert, show us how to best prepare ourselves, and direct us to the path you are walking, so that we do not let you pass by without us. Help us to be ready. Help us to be ready for anything! Amen.

WEEK SIX: RESPONSE

REVERE

Psalm 8

My sister Janet and I visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral on our trip to New York City a few years ago. Our time there was so sacred and unforgettable. The cathedral rises up on white marble columns to the arched ceiling where the beautiful stained glass Rose window shines. The walls are ornately hewn with marble and bronze. The soft light and scent of candles filled our senses.  A choir quietly assembled and their beautiful voices then resonated throughout the cathedral and into our souls.

Outside, the busy streets, crowds of people, shops and restaurants beckoned for our attention. But a few quiet moments inside the cathedral transported us to a holy place, and we were filled with awe and reverence. Many people visited the cathedral that day, but the quiet prevailed as all of us walked in silence and sacredness. Janet and I sat quietly, only speaking in hushed whispers what was necessary to say.  And, filled to the brim with hope and gratitude, we each lit a candle of thanksgiving on our way out.

I have had these same feelings of awe and reverence under starry skies, across mountain top views, beside ocean waves, sheltered from thunderstorms. These are the moments when I feel so very small. These are the moments when I feel so very privileged to be part of all of this, to even exist at all. These are the moments of humble recognition that God, who is so vast and beyond my comprehension, has chosen to create me…

By far the most wonderfully incredible thing about God, the amazing Creator of the universe, is that God has chosen to become small. Just for us! God first comes to us as humanity in Jesus, then comes to each of us individually as the Spirit Guide within. Vast, limitless God chooses to dwell among and within us! I think of the Disney movie Aladdin, when Genie talks about living in a lamp: “Phenomenal cosmic power!!! Itty bitty living space.”

This is what brings our reverence. We are incredulous that God is so beyond us and our comprehension, and yet God is present here, among one another and within our souls. God is incredibly wondrous, yet chooses to have an intimate and personal relationship with each of us. Why would this infinite God willingly be confined to our human bodies and limited souls? Phenomenal cosmic power. Itty bitty living space.

God is worthy of our great awe and reverence.

How might we best revere God? We begin by recognizing how amazing our whole existence is. We acknowledge how far beyond our understanding God is. We marvel that this God would choose to come to us in a way that we can grasp just a bit of God’s power and love.

And perhaps, like Aladdin, we best revere and honor God by giving God freedom from our limited space. As much as we possibly can, we drop our boundaries and allow God to be ALL that God is. We set God free by opening ourselves and releasing God to work and to move- in our lives and in our world.

Amazing, wonderful God,

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
    mortals that you care for them?

And yet you do. Thank you for coming to us and within us. We honor, glorify and revere you. Help us to set you free in our lives and in our world. Amen.

WEEK SIX: RESPONSE

RESPOND

Psalm 116:12 (NRSV)

What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?

Matthew 22: 37-40 (NRSV)

He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

In this our last week of Lent before Holy Week, we will contemplate our responses to God’s goodness. There is no way we could ever repay Jesus for all he has done for us; this would be impossible, and it is not the goal. But we are compelled to respond to him in love; we respond out of gratitude and obedience, but also for the joy that our response brings. Jesus has lived, loved and continues to lead us. He has healed, helped and gives us hope. He has forgiven, freed and offers his friendship. He has surrendered, suffered and assures our salvation. How could we not willingly and wholeheartedly respond to his calling?

Our first response of gratitude is to heed his two great commandments: love God, and love our neighbor. We actually love God BY loving our neighbor (1 John 4:20-21). This seems easy enough. I am generally a loving person. After all, I strive to be kind, gracious and nice to others. These commandments should be simple to follow- they are just common courtesy!

But I might be a lazy loving person. My love for others is more passive than active, more easily ‘said’ than ‘done.’ My love seems to be more about refraining from harm rather than actively undoing harm. I try to love by not being unkind, not intentionally hurting others, not judging or gossiping, not lying, not being envious, not criticizing… and so on. My not-doing becomes NOT doing! I think Jesus commands us to be more active with our love, don’t you?

Amid these terrible, tragic shootings that plague us, we hear the phrase, “thoughts and prayers are not enough.” This speaks profoundly to us for all of life’s hardships. Prayer is important, necessary and DOES make a difference. Prayers said on our behalf are genuine, helpful, powerful gifts of grace. But if we just pray, are we doing enough? In our loving response to God, how might we more actively love our neighbor, beyond our thoughts and prayers? How might we make God’s love more visible and relevant to others?

We pray for someone who is grieving, AND we send that person a note to tell them so.

We pray for justice and equality, AND we write our representatives, vote, and speak for those who are oppressed.

We pray for those who are ill AND we cook a pot of soup for their families.

We pray for peace AND we march for it, too.

We pray for the poor AND we donate to social and charitable organizations.

We pray for the needs of our community AND we volunteer to help with those needs.

We pray for the lonely AND we visit the homebound.

We pray for our schools AND we help with a school project.

We pray for those in need AND we share our possessions and funds with them.

We pray for those who are discouraged AND we offer a listening ear.

We pray in gratitude for others AND we let them know how they have blessed us.

We pray for those who are addicted or in trouble AND we serve as mentors.

We pray for those who are devastated by natural disasters AND we donate to worldwide humanitarian networks or serve in mission work.

Yes, we are loving people of faith- but how will others know how God has changed us? We are blessed by God’s love for us all- but how will others experience this same love from God?  These visible, loving actions take time, effort, funds, and sacrifice. We may have busy lives but we still can do one kind thing. One act of love from many people can yield great blessings. The world needs more of God as visible love. Our best response to God’s goodness is to live as God’s beloved- and to actively show others that they are God’s beloved, too.

Loving, Ever-present, Caring God,

Today, I pray for …

Show me the AND …

that you are calling me to do.

Amen.

WEEK FIVE: RELIANCE

RESIDE

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NRSV)

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

Ephesians 3: 16-19 (NRSV)

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Yesterday we considered the different ways we might receive the Spirit. Today we will ponder the Spirit dwelling within us and filling us with all the fullness of God. Our word for today is reside. Can you IMAGINE being “filled with all the fullness of God?” What would that look like?

When Jesus Moved In: An Allegory of Life and Love

I remember the day Jesus moved in. As a young teen, I responded to an altar call and invited Jesus into my heart, my inner home. At first, I was giddy with excitement because I had never had a famous person stay in my house. I was also quite nervous, as I wanted to make a good impression. I tried to follow every rule of housekeeping etiquette. I cleaned my house often, kept up my appearance, allowed nothing to be out of place, and put on my best front as a cheerful host. I understood that everything had to be perfect for Jesus.

Jesus would smile kindly, nod at all of my efforts, and lift his feet when I vacuumed. But  he didn’t seem impressed; he didn’t acknowledge the work I was doing to please him. He assured me that even if my house was messy, he was here to stay. He encouraged me to quit doing so much and instead spend more time with him. I guess he was getting lonely and bored as I kept up the necessary housekeeping that I felt was needed for Jesus to remain. One time Jesus must have been so distracted that he called me “Martha,” and we both laughed when I corrected him. But he didn’t apologize…

All too soon I did something wrong. Embarrassed, I stayed in my bedroom for a few days, trying to avoid him until he forgot about it. It’s funny… I could tell he knew something was up, but he never changed his countenance toward me. When I eventually came out, he didn’t say a word, but his eyes held a combination of understanding, sorrow and pity. That look overwhelmed me and I blurted out my wrongdoing. Of course he wasn’t surprised. He just said, “Now don’t you feel better telling me?”

After a while, I started to relax around Jesus. I would let him see me when I wasn’t at my best, even before my first cup of coffee. There is something so compelling about him that I wanted to hang out with him instead of doing my housework. We ordered pizza when I was weary; I stopped trying to impress, and instead offered what I had. Jesus was seeing more of the real me and my daily living, and he seemed more at ease, too. He willingly helped with whatever was needful for each day.

The two of us grew closer over time. I was learning more about who he was and what he means for all of us. I became so drawn to him that I wanted to keep my heart/home for just Jesus and me. But Jesus said that I needed to invite others in. There was room enough for everyone, he insisted. So I decided to have a party. But when I asked Jesus to please turn some water into wine, he raised his eyebrow and said that I had missed the point. I have missed the point of several stories, it seems. He has patiently taught and enlightened me along the way.

Years passed and I began opening my deeper self to Jesus. I pulled out my photo albums, memorabilia, and a few journals to share with him. I told him stories about my past and shared my dreams about my future. Jesus would tell me so many stories, too. Some of Jesus’ habits began rubbing off on me- even some of the annoying ones like taking time to pray on very busy days, or trying to honor Sabbath rest, or even walking a lot. 🙂 I will never be perfect like he is, but I started to follow his example more often.

Jesus has been so much more than a gracious boarder. I am sure I must drive him crazy at times, but still, he stays. He has instructed and guided when I am muddled. He has listened and comforted when I am sad or burdened. He has corrected and scolded when I don’t listen. He forgives me, time and time again, when I ignore or forget his ways and my purpose. Most of all, he loves me completely. My imperfect house has been filled with so much love that I am forever changed. I am so thankful and blessed that Jesus moved in, and he has stayed, no matter what.

I hope that as time goes on, Jesus will make himself even more at home. I hope he clears out any of my belongings that have crowded or limited him. I hope he moves in all of his treasures, all of the things he would like to have here in my heart-home. In fact, I hope that my house will begin to look less like “mine” and more like his.  When people come to visit, I hope they believe they are visiting Jesus’ home, not mine.

Loving Jesus,

Please make yourself at home in our hearts. Keep showing us how to give you plenty of space, how to enable you to thrive, and how to be your partner in this, your home. We are just so grateful you are here. To stay. Thank you. Amen.

WEEK FIVE: RELIANCE

RECEIVE

John 20: 19-22 (NRSV)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit…”

Yes, we are getting a little ahead of ourselves with this passage from John, in which Jesus has already risen and is now reappearing before the disciples. He breathes on them and tells them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” But in our week of Reliance, the gift of the Spirit from Jesus is yet another assurance that we can rely on God for everything. In receiving the Spirit, we receive guidance, power, comfort, healing, insight, love, and more. we receive Christ within us! Receive is our word for today.

Merriam Webster’s online dictionary* provides several excellent definitions of receive. These will guide our Receive devotional for today. In what different ways are we to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?

Receive means…

to “come into possession of: acquire,” such as receiving a gift. Through Jesus and the Spirit, God offers the joy, hope, peace and love of kingdom living to all of us. We have done nothing to earn or merit this gift, but the Spirit is given out of God’s love through Jesus. Let’s receive this gift with wonder, gratitude and glee!

to “act as a receptacle or container for,” such as a cup receives wine. We are to be the vessels for receiving and holding the Spirit. Let’s empty ourselves of anything that would take up space the Spirit is ready to fill.

to “assimilate through the mind or senses,” such as receiving new ideas. The Spirit will bring us to new understanding and awaken our lives. Let’s receive the Spirit with open minds and eagerness to learn. Let’s anticipate the Spirit’s movement with all of our senses.

to “permit to enter, welcome or greet.” I believe the Spirit is already within us, but we can “extend an invitation” as a way of opening ourselves to notice and abide fully with the Spirit. Let’s welcome the Spirit with warm hearts, genuine hospitality, and our deep, comfortable friendship. Let’s quickly move the Spirit from guest to permanent resident in our souls.

to “accept as authoritative, true or accurate; believe.” The Spirit is our Counselor and Guide, our Wisdom and Discernment. Let’s regard the Spirit as such, with trust and obedience. Let’s continuously seek out the Spirit’s wisdom and help.

to “support the weight or pressure of; bear.” When we receive the Spirit, we are to bear what burdens the Spirit, to move where the Spirit moves, to feel what the Spirit feels. Let’s willingly shoulder what the Spirit needs us to carry.

to “take a mark or impression from the weight of something,” such as clay receiving clear impressions. Let’s allow the Spirit to change and impress us; let’s remain sensitive, pliable and impressionable, like the clay in the  Potter’s hands.

to “acquire or experience,” such as receiving an education. The Spirit has much to teach and show us! Let’s receive everything with an open mind, an eager longing to learn new ideas, and freedom from previously held convictions.

to “suffer the hurt or injury of,” such as receiving a broken nose.  May we carry the deep awareness and grief for all that Jesus endured and suffered before giving us his Spirit. Let’s receive the pain of all whom the Spirit leads us to help.

The gift of the Spirit is a wondrous gift; let’s receive this gift with gratitude and joy!

Jesus, Giver of the Spirit,

We do receive your Spirit with deep gratitude and joy! Thank you for this unearned gift of your goodness and grace. We receive your Spirit as best we can- now continue to work and fill us completely with YOU. Amen.

* definitions taken from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receive

WEEK FIVE: RELIANCE

RECEDE

1 Peter 5:7 (NRSV)

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 

“Karen, you are not indispensable.” These are the harsh words I heard from a supervisor years ago. I had grown weary of being transferred to a different department during the busiest times of the month; this was not the position I had been hired to do. I would request not to go, but was repeatedly told that I was desperately needed and there was no one else to help. One frustrating day I finally asked the question, “What would happen if I didn’t show up tomorrow? Who would cover for ME?” The answer was eye-opening, embarrassing and quite humbling. “Well, Karen, you are not indispensable,” she replied. Turns out, she was right. I ended up leaving that job, and the company went on just fine without me! 😀

Here’s the bad news: We are not indispensable. We are actually pretty insignificant.

I believe this passage from 1 Peter is going to be one of my new favorites…

~Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God.

Recede is our word for today. Google defines the word recede as “to go back or further away from a previous position; to gradually diminish.” As we continue to deepen in our love for God, our lives become less about ourselves and more about God. Our self-importance recedes under God’s mighty hand while our awareness of God’s wondrous power and love increases.

When we humble ourselves under God, we understand ourselves in the proper perspective. On this, God’s created world, I am but one person among seven billion people.* In God’s vast, infinite universe, I am a tiny speck of dust. In God’s eternal time frame, my earthly life is a fleeting millisecond. Yes, we are dearly loved, chosen, and important to God, more than we can imagine. But when we consider the vastness of God’s infinite love and eternal realm, we are made humbly aware of our insignificance.

~Cast all your anxiety on God, because God cares for you.

When we humble ourselves under God, we understand our troubles in the proper perspective. Our burdens, worries and anxieties will recede right along with us! Just think… in casting our anxieties on God, we will place them in a kingdom perspective. We will be able to see that the mistakes we have made become forgotten blips in eternity. We will know that any wounds we have caused are healed by God’s infinitely forgiving and restoring love. We can allow our worries to evaporate in the incredible light and peace of God. All of our problems that seem so major and worrisome will diminish (recede) and then disappear if we place them in the perspective of God’s realm. The biggest problems we have caused or endured are but tiny jots compared to this vast eternal joy before us.

Here’s the good news. We are not indispensable. We are actually pretty insignificant.

Indispensable, significant GOD,
Thank you that you are YOU. You are awesome, infinite, wondrous, eternal, universal, powerful, and beyond comprehension. Help me to continue to recede as I allow you to increase in my life. I know that I am just me, dispensable and insignificant. Help me to keep that perspective. Thank you that, even so, you regard and love me as your indispensable, significant and beloved child.   Amen.

*For a dramatic visual of how many people seven billion is, check out http://www.7billionworld.com/