Devotional 8-14-20

Scriptures: Gen 45:1–15; Ps 133; Rom 11:1–2a, 29–32; Mt 15: (10–20) 21–2  I chose to focus on the Genesis story for this devotion, but I encourage you to read all of the scriptures. 

The Hebrew Bible reading for this week is the story of Joseph's emotional reunion in Egypt with the brothers who sold him into slavery years earlier.  Although this had been a traumatic experience for Joseph, over time he had risen high in the Pharaoh's favor, and was now a wealthy and respected man. Meanwhile, a famine had come to his homeland, and the brothers had journeyed to Egypt in the hope of finding food. Now, in this week's scripture, they stand before him.  When Joseph reveals his true identity to the brothers, they are understandably afraid. But Joseph, from the perspective of his ability to save his family in the present, claims that their mean-spirited actions in the past were in fact a God thing. What he is professing is faith's ability to find meaning and purpose even in painful events. 

I understand this perspective, and have comforted myself at times that my childhood surgeries and therapies were terrible, but enduring them made me a more compassionate person.  I hear similar stories from other Christians, who have faced great tragedy and eventually been transformed in ways they could not have anticipated. People of faith are often given confidence and peace during challenging times, but others may endure a "dark night of the soul" and only gain perspective later. Like Joseph, we might begin to see our disappointments, pains, and struggles as "God things" too. God works for good in all things, and we can praise God for that, while at the same time recognizing that our choices and those of others make a difference. Joseph's positive experience with his brothers was partly because he chose compassion and forgiveness over anger and revenge; it was God at work in him, and Joseph saying a holy "yes" to that. 

We have the opportunity during these challenging days to also say "yes" to God's leadings.  We can choose to love and protect others by following the best medical advice during this pandemic,  we can share our resources with those in need, we can learn new skills and technologies so we can connect with people near and far, we can consider this time of distancing a holy pause in the midst of our lives--- in short, faith's perspective can create new possibilities as we work together with each other and with God. Let's not grow weary of doing good, loving others, and trusting that God is at work in our lives. 

Prayer for the Day:  Loving and gracious God, walk with us through times of trouble, and let us find your peace and compassion.  Give us strength for the day, and hope for tomorrow.  Amen

Rev. Terry Deane

Devotional 7-19-19

Luke 10:38-42  "While Jesus and his disciples were traveling,  Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his message.  By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal.  So Martha came to him and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself?  Tell her to help me."

The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things.  One thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the better part.  It won't be taken away from her." CEB

Ah, Martha, a woman whose story starts so well: she has the gift of hospitality, and has welcomed Jesus to her home as a guest.  This is a role model for us as people of faith.  We in the church have spent much of the past couple of years emphasizing the importance of hospitality and generosity, as we welcome people to our church and community. We've remodeled and renovated our building to make it safer and more accessible.  We've talked in small groups and in worship settings about the gifts that new people bring to our lives, and the gifts that we offer them---deeper relationships with God and a caring community in which to grow in faith and discipleship. 

We've talked, too, about the way that our church "family" shares together in our joys, and brings comfort when we face sorrows.  At the beginning of the scripture for today, Martha seems to have all this figured out; she has extended the welcome and she has family to help her follow through.

Quickly, things take a sad but familiar turn.  Martha is conflicted.  She's offered this hospitality, but now it's become a lot of work!  She's preparing a meal for her guest, and there are lots of details to sort out.  The Common English Bible says that she becomes "preoccupied with getting everything ready....." How modern and relatable this story becomes.  Saying "come on in," is the easy part. Actually serving the guest is the challenge, at our home or at our church home.  Did we remember to open the right doors? Did we offer a friendly greeting?  Did we show a visitor where the nursery is, or where the Sunday School classes meet?  Did we explain about the after-church reception in the Commons (and tell visitors how to get there)?  Does the bulletin give enough detail so that someone who hasn't been here before, could easily follow along?  And, of course, if someone needs prayer or other assistance, would they feel comfortable asking us?  Did they hear and see in us, the presence and power of God?

This brings us to the center of the story, and what Jesus says is the "necessary" thing.  Martha is bogged down in the details, and her frustration now leads her to a complete failure of hospitality.  "Don't you care..." she asks her guest, complaining now that her sister Mary has been listening to him, instead of helping with dinner.  She's annoyed at her family, for not doing enough to help, and she's forgotten the whole reason for the dinner in the first place--- to welcome Jesus. Martha even tries to triangle Jesus into her family conflict, asking him to tell Mary what to do. There's no welcome or warmth in that.  Meanwhile, Mary has taken time to just be in the presence of the Holy One, to make room in her life for him. Jesus reminds Martha that this is the necessary thing, the "better part." Our "doing" is not as central as our "being" in the holy moments that we have together. He's speaking to her, but also to us.  When we welcome people to our church home, all the details matter, but they are secondary to our central purpose:  welcoming people to learn about Jesus, and his love for them, so that they can form a faith relationship that will be life changing for them.  We are inviting them to share a faith journey with us, as we listen, learn, and worship together.  If we focus on Jesus, the details will begin to become clear to us, and second nature ---because we will be genuinely welcoming and loving, caring about each person we meet as a valuable child of God.  

Prayer for the Day (from Ruth Duck, Flames of the Spirit) "God of stillness, God of action, help us to find a proper balance in our lives.  Teach us to find the time and space for prayer and learning, like Mary, who studied at the feet of Jesus.  May we do our share in common serving, like Martha, who offered her skill in the kitchen.  In work and in prayer, may we be worthy disciples of Jesus, the Word of your love. Amen."    

Terry Deane