Devotional 11-22-19

Paul’s Warning
 

II Thessalonians 3: 6-13

As he began working on his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul remembered how well  his previous letter had been received by them. They were on their way to establishing their own church and it was wonderful! They were enthusiastic about what was happening! They were so eager to learn more about this man called Jesus, and to start their church in his name. Paul’s first letter to them was full of information about Jesus and Paul’s personal knowledge of him. There was much to be done to bring in new believers. Paul had given them a lot of encouragement and incentive to work hard. They were growing together through Christ’s love. They understood that Paul expected them to work together and keep busy to be successful.

But Paul had heard some disturbing news from his followers. Many of the Thessalonians were idly wasting their time while others continued working and doing the right thing. He believed it was time to set the record straight. Everyone was to be working! Paul’s followers told him that plain idleness had set in because everyone decided they would just wait for Jesus to arrive.

Paul must have thought long and hard about what he would say in his second letter to the Thessalonians. They must understand that certain things were to happen before Jesus returned. No one knew quite what those things were, or how long that would take, but Paul told them to get back to work! They must not sit idly around doing nothing. He warned that idleness would not be tolerated. He urged them in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down, work hard, and earn their meals. Most important, Paul just wanted them to do what he had asked, and to do it right.

Heavenly Father,
How blessed we are when we work together for the common good. Whatever the goal, we have fun doing it together, sharing the work, using the best of the talents You have given us. And when the work is over and the day is through, we smile. No need to worry, Father! There will be no loafing, no whining, no complaining, no waste of time, for this work, dear Lord, is done for You. Amen

Diane Feaganes

Devotional 11-15-19

The Song of a Baby's Cry

Lectionary Readings:  Isaiah 12; Isaiah 65: 17-25; Psalm 118; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20: 27-38     “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12: 2

I have a framed message in my living room that says: “God gave us music so we could pray without words.”  It is the end-part of an anonymous quote that starts with “Bach gave us God’s word; Mozart gave us God’s laughter; and Beethoven gave us God’s fire.” Music is a magnificent means of communication.  Most of us have chosen one or more genres that we enjoy and probably a list of examples that make a “favorites list”.   God created us in his image, so I joyfully jump to the conclusion that God loves music also.  I believe He gave us music to communicate with each other and with Him.

Some have speculated that music actually begins in the womb.  The rhythm of the mother’s heart, all of mom’s internal bodily noises, as well as the music of the fluid the baby moves in supply melodies to the developing baby’s brain.  Then after birth, the loving messages of those who cuddle and attempt to soothe the baby provide the first external notes.

Babies, however, cannot respond in kind (at least at first).  Babies mainly communicate with crying. The baby cries for food, warmth, dryness, relief of gas, fear, loneliness, etc.  Crying does not initially compare favorably to a definition of a song.  Many a care giver has been frustrated by the cries of a baby--especially when it seems that after multiple attempts to determine the cause of the cry, the baby is not soothed.  And yet, the song of crying signifies life—the child is sending out messages.

I have really enjoyed my volunteer hours at Lily’s Place and am thrilled when asked to cuddle one of these special little ones.  I am not always successful in the game of “soothe the baby to sleep” though.  Recently we’ve cared for a special one who frustrated many of his care givers.  He cried when he was being fed and therefore didn’t always eat his full measure, he cried when he was swaddled, and when he was unbound, cried when he was both wet and dry, cried when he was rocked and when he was still, cried when left alone and when he received attention. He was prayed for, sung to, loved, cuddled, rocked and snuggled. It seems nothing soothed him—at least for any length of time.  What was he trying to communicate?  What was he saying with his cries?

The baby’s cries were frustrating but not life threatening. But maybe the cries symbolize something else, like the collective cries of all those in pain or who grieve.  Perhaps they are the messages of all who are lonely and afraid.  They could also be a joyful statement: “Look, I’m alive in spite of my rough beginning and I want everyone to know it.”  He was communicating with us and we were trying to listen to catch his meaning. His song was not the one we expected, but it was his message.  What can this baby teach us about our relationship with God?

We are often too busy with our own agenda to listen for God’s message.  We fill our own silence with white noise and insignificant background sound to feel less alone and isolated. When we seek Him or respond, our song often sounds flat and out of rhythm because we have not truly listened to God.  God tells us to not be afraid, that He is with us.  However, God’s message to us is not always what we expect as He speaks to us in many voices and uses words, music, nature, silence, etc.. When we ignore His message we miss the chance to sing a new song that allows God to become our salvation and strength.

“I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, O my soul rejoice!
 Take joy, my King in what you hear; May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.”
                                                                                                            Laurie Klein (the Faith We Sing)

Chyrl Budd