Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
Good Friday, April 14th- Silence
John 19:30
30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
There are no words…
Maundy Thursday, April 13th- Servanthood
John 13:2b-5, 34-35
And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.
34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus turned our world upside-down, didn’t he? Instead of being born in a palace, he was born in humble surroundings. Instead of using clever marketing techniques to gain followers, he chose a few friends and said, “Don’t tell anybody what I’ve just done.” Instead of conquering the political and religious leadership that brought him to the cross, he conquered death. And now, in this passage, instead of being served, he chose to serve his disciples by washing their filthy feet.
Our focus for today is servanthood. Jesus shows his disciples the way of humble servitude and tells them (and us) to love one another. In the Gospel of Luke (22:27) he also says, “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” With this statement, there is a deeper meaning of servanthood. Jesus uses servanthood as an equalizer. As we love one another, we are all servants of one another. We are all equals.
Those of us who followed the show, “Downton Abbey” saw how boundaries were formed and separateness maintained between the servants and the lords and ladies of the estate. The servants had separate living quarters. They ate separately and kept a respectful distance from those they served. But once in a while boundaries were crossed when relationships deepened between certain servants and elite family members. When this happened, everyone on both sides became quite upset. Everyone was so used to having certain roles in society, it was difficult to see these roles undone.
When Jesus shows us that he is among us as one who serves, he is showing us that we are all equal. He is teaching us that we should love and serve others, but also that those “others” are able to love and serve us, too. Often when we think of serving, we think, “Who could use my help?” Perhaps we should ask, “Who would be blessed to serve me?” We are humbled being servants. But we are also humbled being served at times, aren’t we? Servanthood isn’t just about serving. It’s about holding one another as equals. It’s about mutually helping one another.
Our reminder symbol is a towel, to remind us of how Jesus humbled himself to wash the disciples’ feet. May we live as Jesus did, loving and serving others. May we also recognize that we are all servants; we are all equally able to bless one another in some way. “Let mutual love continue” (Hebrews 13:1).
Loving Jesus,
You humbly showed us how to love and serve one another. Help me to recognize that we are all equally loved by you, that you call every one of us to be servants, and that everyone has something to offer. Help me to give mutual love and care. Help me to receive mutual love and care.
Especially today, thank you for your servant’s heart as you washed the disciples’ feet. Thank you for giving us a way to remember you by sharing your body and blood through Holy Communion. Thank you that we all come to the table as equals for your sacred meal. May all that I say and do reflect your all-embracing, welcoming love for everyone.
Amen.
Wednesday, April 12th- Mortality
Luke 9:51
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Today’s devotion isn’t pleasant. As we continue to accompany Jesus through the week leading up to his death, we think of that very thing: death. When Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem,” he was facing the city where he knew his suffering and death would take place. He was steeling himself for the long journey to the tomb. Our focus for today is to face mortality- the mortality of dear Jesus and our own mortality.
All of us are aware that our earthly life is temporary. Sometimes the temporariness becomes more real to us. Our earthly mortality is understood more clearly in times of illness, in the fear that illness may return, at the loss of a loved one, in a near-miss or accident that could have been worse. We tend to think of our mortality more often as we age, too.
In these times, we are grateful for the promise of life eternal, of life that will be filled with joy and love, of life that will be even better than this earthly life. And yet, we still have worries and sorrows, don’t we? We wonder if we will be able to see all our dreams and purposes fulfilled. We can’t bear to consider our temporary farewells to loved ones. We hesitate to even imagine if we will suffer. We worry about our loved ones grieving and hurting. We know we will be fine “on the other side” but it’s the getting there that seems so hard.
Now imagine how Jesus had to face his earthly mortality straight on. He was only about 33 years old. He had done so much in his short ministry, but there was still so much to do. He had dear friends, devoted followers, and a loving family who would miss him. He would have to bear the most terrible suffering, and then be hung on a cross to die. I wonder how much he knew. We do know how much he agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was God’s son, but he was human. His fears and deep grief were real. We know that Jesus fully understands what we feel about our own death.
We are so fortunate to be living in the time after the resurrection of Jesus, to know that he was raised to new life. Today we are blessed to know that death is not the end, it is only the beginning of a beautiful life that we cannot even begin to comprehend. But today… let’s remember with profound sorrow and deep gratitude what Jesus went through to show us that.
Our reminder symbol is a nail. May we consider the crucifix nails that held Jesus as he suffered and died so that we may face our own mortality with peace, hope and even joy.
Precious Jesus,
I am so sorry for all of the suffering you had to endure.
I am so sorry for the way you hung on a cross to die.
I am so sorry that you had to knowingly face all of this in the long days beforehand.
I am so sorry for the agony, the grief, the doubt, the terribleness of it all.
I say “thank you,” but it seems so inadequate.
But thank you.
Amen.
Tuesday, April 11th- Remaining Behind the Cross
1 Corinthians 1:17-18
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Before his sermon messages, Pastor Mike always prays that God will guide his words for God’s purposes; that he will not get in God’s way. He humbly asks God, “Place me behind the cross.” His hope is that through his messages, God’s love- shown through Jesus on the cross- will receive the attention, not him. His prayer is an excellent one for all of us.
This week, our focus is especially on the cross, isn’t it? We will follow Jesus to the cross. We will grieve as he suffers and dies on the cross. We will then rejoice when we see the empty cross and empty tomb. After Easter, how will we keep the cross before us? How will we remain behind the cross?
In our baptism, many of us received a blessing after we were washed with water. We were anointed with the sign of the cross on our foreheads as we were told, “Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” With this anointing on our foreheads, we were placed behind the cross.
Making the sign of the cross each morning is a good reminder (Martin Luther suggested this). We can say the words again, “You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” We can ask God to place us behind the cross with each new day. Let’s do these things and then notice what changes in the way we live our day. Will we be better people, better followers? Will our words and actions point to the cross? May we not forget the cross even after we celebrate Easter.
After our baptismal anointing we are also told, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Let’s do so today.
Our reminder symbol is a small dish of water (or anointing oil). Let’s make the sign of the cross, place ourselves humbly behind the cross, ask the Spirit to help us remain there, and bring glory to God.
Gracious God,
Thank you for the cross. Thank you for the love shown through Jesus on that cross. Place me behind the cross today. May I always keep the power of the cross before me. May all I say and do point to that cross and glorify you alone. Amen.
Monday, April 10th- Accompanying
John 13:33 (NRSV)
Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
Yesterday was Palm Sunday. The children at our church paraded up and down the aisles, waving their palms happily as we sang our praises. We remembered how Jesus was triumphantly welcomed into Jerusalem with “Hosannas” and waving palm branches from adoring crowds. When I was a child, Palm Sunday was such a celebratory day- and it seemed to me that the party continued with Easter the next week.
Then I remember hearing that Jesus died on a cross somewhere in between those two parties. But in my child’s mind I thought that since Jesus was God’s son, he was able to endure such a terrible thing because he had superpowers. And of course, I knew that if I had been there, I would never have denied him, or punished him, or wanted him dead.
But now I know the rest of the story. Now I know that it wasn’t one continuous party from Palm Sunday to Easter. Now I know that the very man God sent to show us how much God loved us- and how abundantly we could live in the knowledge of that love- was denied, condemned, tortured and killed. The worst part is that now I know I wouldn’t have done anything to stop it.
Our Lenten focus for today is accompanying. As we go through this Holy Week, let’s go with Jesus. Let’s accompany Jesus as we revisit the events in which he agonized deeply, endured painfully, and surrendered completely. Let’s not jump from one party to the next. Let’s take time to consider how we would have reacted or felt if we had been there with him. Although we can never fully comprehend his terrible journey, let’s imagine ourselves with him… from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to his last meal with his disciples, to his washing of their feet, to his praying in the garden, to his trial, to his suffering, and finally to the cross and tomb.
Our reminder symbol is a sandal. May it encourage us to walk this Holy Week journey again with Jesus. May we recall with grief and humble gratitude everything he endured… before we celebrate his glorious resurrection.
Dearest Jesus,
You told your disciples, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I know that I cannot fully comprehend the journey you have taken. But my heart longs to accompany you through it all. Open my heart this week, that I may be more fully aware of everything you endured. For me. Amen.
Saturday, April 8th- Integrity
Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
There are so many lovely qualities in this passage, and they all bring to mind the quality of integrity. Google’s definition of integrity includes “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles” and “the state of being whole and undivided.” Paul’s words, honorable, just and commendable, are ways of being honest and having strong moral principles. His words, true and pure, describe being whole and undivided. Our Lenten focus for today is this integrity Paul invites us to live.
Integrity has been described as having our actions match our words. Whew, that can be tough sometimes, can’t it? How often have we said we would do something, and then have forgotten or neglected to do it? (“I’ll pray for you.”) How often have we offered a kindness, but never meant to follow up on it? (“I’ll have you over sometime.”) How often do we tell a slight fib to cover up our mistake? (“Sorry I’m late, but the traffic was backed up” instead of, “I didn’t leave on time.”) Most importantly, how often do we claim to be a follower of Christ, but don’t live as one?
Paul’s words are helpful for us. For the integrity of being honorable, just, or commendable, we can grow as followers of Christ by practicing the things we “have learned and received and heard and seen.” When we “think about these things”- if we hold these beautiful qualities in our hearts- our words and actions may increasingly become more honorable and commendable. Our disciplines of practice and thought will gradually lead to life changes.
The integrity of being true and pure makes me think of the phrase, “what flows in, flows out.” Imagine a dirty bucket with a hole in the bottom. As we keep filling the bucket with clean water, the dirt will eventually be washed away and only clean water will flow out. The more we think about anything that is “excellent or worthy of praise,” the more our actions will reflect these qualities. If we fill ourselves with good things by reading the Bible, asking the Spirit for guidance, and allowing God to work in us, we will pour out the ways and love of Christ. We will live lives that are more genuine, true and pure.
Our reminder symbol for today is salt. Jesus tells us we are the “salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13).” Wikipedia notes that the phrase, salt of the earth is “an English phrase referring to a person who is thoroughly decent.” Salt is pure and essential. May salt remind us to live with pure integrity as followers of Christ.
Spirit of God,
At this moment I want to please you. May I have the integrity to always want to please you.
I want to be honorable, just and commendable in your sight. May I consistently be so in all of my words and actions.
I want to be true and pure. May I fill myself only with your good gifts, so that my life will pour out only your pure love. Amen.
Friday, April 7th- Belovedness
Romans 8:38-39 (NRSV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We should know that we are loved by God. Jesus showed us that in unforgettably horrendous and beautiful ways. But I sometimes wonder if I have completely accepted this love. The world seems to show us that we need to prove our worth. We learn that we need to keep up our image and to be successful, attractive, intelligent, or perfect in order to be loved and accepted. So it becomes difficult for us to fully comprehend that we are loved by God- completely, exactly as we are, no matter what.
Our Lenten focus for today is belovedness. How would our lives change if each of us fully embraced the complete, perfect, generous, constant, unfailing, unmerited, boundless love of God for ourselves? How would each of us actually live as a beloved child of God? What would this look like?
As beloved children of God, we would trust in our God who always works for good when we face uncertainty. We would feel Christ’s loving presence when we are lonely. We would gain strength for our weakest moments from our awesome Creator. We would have courage for intimidating times because the Spirit guides us. We would receive comfort and peace in our sadness because our God heals and redeems it all. We would know relief and freedom from our guilt because of the merciful love of Jesus.
We would also know that our loving God rejoices in our successes, delights in our joys, and smiles on us in our laughter. We would cherish our enjoyable, happy times while being fully aware that God is sharing them with us. Our lives would be richer, fuller, and truer. We would live that abundant life Jesus has promised us.
Perhaps the most noticeable change would be revealed by how we treat others. Living as God’s beloved, we would share more generously because we trust God’s provision for us. We would care more sincerely because we comprehend God’s tender care for us. We would love more deeply because we feel God’s abundant love ourselves. We would live more freely because we know God’s redeeming grace is holding us all.
One more thought… A year ago, our daughter Angie adopted a rescue dog that had been severely neglected. Angie loved Opal, not because of her good behavior or perfection, but because Angie wanted to love her and save her. She loved Opal through her wariness, her skittishness, and her misbehavior. Now Opal is perky, happy, and healthy. Opal wants to please Angie. She stands and watches the door for Angie’s return at the end of the day. She remains close to Angie every moment she can. Opal’s pure devotion and her joy of being with her loving rescuer can inspire us all. This is how we can live as beloved children of God.
Our reminder symbol for today is a heart. May it remind us all that we are truly God’s beloved children, and may we live accordingly.
Loving God,
Oh, how you have loved me! Thank you for loving me, despite my unworthiness. Thank you for loving me, even when I can’t comprehend love of this magnitude. Thank you for loving me, even when I fail to live as your beloved child. Help me to fully understand that in Christ Jesus there is nothing that will separate me from your love. May I begin fully living as your beloved child, that others may witness your love through me. Amen.
Thursday, April 6th- Unity
Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
“Every one of us is all we need.” ~ The Beatles, Yellow Submarine
Jim and I had the privilege of taking our youth groups on three different mission trips. Each time, we returned home with treasured, lasting friendships between us all. These bonds were formed because everyone- with their varied personalities, quirks, temperaments, and preferences- had worked together to make good differences in other communities. We had worked together to serve God and one another. In doing so, we learned that each one of us had something to contribute, something we all needed. We valued one another in spite of our differences; even FOR our differences. Our one purpose of serving God by serving others was our unifying factor.
Our Lenten focus for today is unity. Paul calls his people in Ephesus to make “every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” These are wise words for us today, as we struggle to live in unity in this world, in our communities, in our churches and even in our homes. Our sinful, human nature can become selfish, self-focused, and self-righteous. We begin to see our differences as challenges rather than gifts. We lose sight of the unity and the togetherness we are called to share.
Today let’s make the effort, as Paul tells us, to live a life worthy of our calling as followers of Christ. This DOES take patience, humility, gentleness, and love. We will be challenged by different personalities, different ways of seeing the world, and different ways of being in the world. Unity isn’t meant to make everyone the same, but we can be united in our one purpose: to love and serve God by serving others in love.
I have a beautiful patchwork quilt that my friend Sarah made. Every piece is needed to add interest and color to the quilt. If I were to combine the patches, I would not consider putting some of these colors together as a color scheme. Yet, in this quilt they work well together! They make the quilt vivid and eye-catching. Each patchwork piece has been united with others for one purpose- to make a warm, soft, beautiful quilt.
Our reminder symbol today is a bottle of glue (or a quilt, if you have one). May it remind us that we are stronger together, and that each of us is needed for one purpose: to love and serve God by loving and serving one another.
A Prayer for Unity
Dear Father,
Just as it was when Jesus made his home on earth,
The world can be a hateful and cruel place.
We ask that you would guide our actions as believers.
Give us an eagerness to be humble and gentle.
Help us have hearts of patience and forbearance.
Thank you for the hope we have in you;
May your hope unify our thoughts and decisions
And invoke peace through the Spirit.
Amen
~ Rachel Wojo, Dayspring,com
Wednesday, April 5th- Fellowship
Romans 12:10-13
10 Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
I like my cell phone for two reasons. First, it gives me a way to stay in touch with my loved ones. Our calls aren’t billed at long distance rates, so we can call often. A quick text can remind someone that I’m thinking of them or they’re thinking of me. I can keep my phone with me all the time, in case someone needs to reach me. We can even exchange photos or videos. Staying in touch has become much easier!
But the second reason I like my phone is that it gives me something to do so I don’t have to communicate with others! A stranger sits beside me on an airplane? I can pull out my cell and look busy so I don’t have to chat. Waiting in a doctor’s reception area? I can avoid having a conversation with anyone by checking out my photos or Facebook account. I can avert my eyes and keep to myself very easily. My cell makes me appear to have some important things to do, when really I am just playing Sudoku.
I love my cell phone because I can communicate with loved ones. I love my cell phone because I don’t have to communicate with anyone else. I’m certain this irony is not lost on God.
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” (Matthew 25:35b). What if one of those strangers is a God-moment for me to accept (what if they ALL are)? What if God is providing an opportunity for a kind word, a listening ear, an understanding presence for that person-or even for me? Is my cell keeping me from answering God’s call to initiate a friendly conversation with someone? Is my self-important appearance keeping me from welcoming Jesus himself?
Today our Lenten focus is fellowship, but especially fellowship with those we don’t already know. Does your cell phone keep you from paying attention to the needs around you? Are you missing out on some precious opportunities to be God’s love for someone, or to receive God’s love from someone? Let’s be mindful of those times when we might set aside our cells, and turn our attention to those around us.
Our reminder symbol is a cell phone. May we be mindful of our opportunities to communicate God’s love for others- those we love, and those we have yet to know.
(Our prayer is based on the Romans 12 passage.)
Loving God,
You are always providing opportunities for me to share your love and to receive your love. Help me to…love others with mutual affection…honor others with respect and kindness…be ardent in spirit, not lagging in zeal about your love for us all…be patient in suffering even when a conversation is unpleasant…persevere in prayer for those around me…contribute to the needs of the saints by keeping in touch with dear ones…and most of all, extend hospitality to the strangers around me. Amen.
Tuesday, April 4th- Venturing
Philippians 1:6
6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
There once was a young dreamer who truly wanted to please God. She knew that God had given her special talents and gifts. God had even given her exciting dreams and goals, too. She would often envision the day when she would serve God and people by using her unique qualities in a way she loved! But she kept waiting for that day. She kept waiting for the moment when the conditions would be perfect, the opportunity would be clearly discerned, and the timing would be right. She watched for a sign. Seasons changed. Years passed. She was afraid to venture forward until she was certain she would succeed.
One day, she heard God whisper, “Please. Take the first step. I will be with you. Then take the next step, and the step after that. I will still be with you. Today is the perfect time to walk with me. My whispers and nudges are your signs. Any pursuit will have blessings and challenges. The meaning is in the exploration of them. The purpose is in the journey we share together. There will be lessons to learn, people to meet, joys and sorrows to experience. But I need you to take those first steps; to venture out in faith.”
God calls us in whispers, too. We have been given special gifts, talents, experiences and passions for God to use. God is calling us to live our lives in loving service, fully and abundantly. And we have many options to do so.
Have you ever put a dream on hold until a better time? Have you ever hesitated to begin a new dream because it’s too late?
With my age and previous health concerns, I often hesitate to begin new projects or set new goals until my current projects are completed. I’m concerned that I may leave something unfinished. There is merit in keeping some space and not over-committing ourselves. But maybe I will gain more insight, faith, maturity and wisdom in the trying and the pursuit of my dreams and callings, than with the end results. Maybe this is where God can change me most.
Paul’s words can relieve all of us: God has begun a good work in us, and God will bring it to completion! We need not concern ourselves with deadlines or wrap-ups. Our part is to begin the journey. Today, let’s venture out in faith, exploring and working toward those dreams that God has given us. We can step out, knowing God is with us all the way. God will bring us to completion, whether or not we finish ourselves!
Our reminder symbol is our calendar or planner. May it remind us that now is the time to respond to those callings, those whispers and nudges.
Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself. Amen.
(– Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Simply Soul Searching 