Last week I received a phone call from a friend who used to live in Vincennes, Indiana, where we lived before moving to Fishers.
We taught together at Vincennes University, shared an office for a semester, and developed a friendship that included studying God's word and praying for each other.
When Mike was appointed to serve a church in Fishers, we corresponded frequently, and continued to pray for each other and our families. Over the years, the letters dwindled when she moved to Florida. We kept in touch on birthdays and at Christmas.
Her call came unexpectedly, but with joy. We talked and caught up on our families and places in life. Her main purpose for contacting me was to ask for prayer when she had surgery the following week. She had chosen two scriptures to guide her through the challenges of hospitalization and recovery.
"I'll pray for you using the scripture. We will be united before God," I said.
She liked my idea and gave me these two passages:
Psalm 34:4 - I prayed to the Lord and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears.
Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good; he protects his people in times of trouble.
My Prayer for Her Using Her Scripture
When I brought her name, Elizabeth, to God each day, I prayed the scripture inserting her name:
Psalm 34:4 - Elizabeth prayed to the Lord and he answered her; he freed her from all her fears.
Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good; he protects Elizabeth, his child, in times of trouble.
Praying for Elizabeth using the scripture she chose helped me connect with her and God. I felt my prayers were more personal because I was using scripture that had meaning for her.
Next time someone asks me to pray for him or her, I plan to ask if there is scripture to which he/she feels close, and use those words in prayer.
Even though Elizabeth lives far away, I felt close to her heart and united in prayer for her procedure and recovery.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for your written word that becomes personal when we look at what we are experiencing and realize the connection we have to you. We are grateful to be able to pray for one another often using scripture. Your goodness and love abide in us always. Amen.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Life is Hard - God is Good - The Beatitudes Reversed
Matthew 5:1-10 - Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus traveled to many towns and cities as his ministry evolved, preaching to those who came to hear him and healing many who were sick.
One day, Jesus decided to go up a mountain along with the disciples and teach them by offering a series of lessons, later known as the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon described the whole spectrum of life in the kingdom, mentioning the poor and the meek, those who are mourning or hungry, those who are pure in heart or merciful, the peacemakers and the persecuted.
Why Are Those Who Suffer Blessed?
I've always wondered why the word "blessed' was paired with each of these conditions. Why are those who are hungry and persecuted blessed? Why are those who mourn blessed? Usually I associate the word, "blessing" or "blessed" with a gift bestowed by God. Why would mourning or being hungry or persecuted be gifts from God? These passages seem to be a contradiction.
I spent some time studying the word "blessed" and reading about the interpretation and meaning of these passages. "Blessed" means divinely favored and receiving from God.
Those who are grieving, hungry and persecuted are blessed because they are not alone. God is with them. Being blessed means that when suffering happens, we can be open to receive God's presence, love, hope, strength and encouragement to help get through difficult days.
My Reflection
In my reflection with this passage, I focused on verse four, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Loss was heavy on my mind and familiar to my heart. I carry loss from my past. I was also mindful for the 10 people I have know who died since August, 2017, some of whom were close friends, others parents of friends, while others were acquaintances.
I received a thank you note from the mother of one of Anna's friends, who died after an eight month battle with cancer. Anna and I made a donation to his place of employment. At the end of the note she said, "Life is hard, God is good."
She was stating a beatitude about mourning in reverse. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Her comment could be reordered to say, "God is good, but life is hard," to reflect the language of the beatitude.
By saying, "God is good," she is opening herself to the vast experience of God's presence, mercy, love, compassion, and comfort in the midst of heartbreak and tremendous grief, that indeed, makes life hard.
God Is With Us
When difficult times come our way, being blessed may not be our first thought. However, knowing that "blessed" means that God is with us, we do not have to go through our days alone, for all that God offers is available. God welcomes us into his presence.
Questions for Reflection
1. What does blessed mean to you?
2. When you have experienced grief, hunger or persecution do you feel blessed?
3. How has God helped you through rough times with the assurance you are not alone, but blessed?
Prayer: God, sometimes you speak in ways that seem confusing. When we explore your language we have new ways of understanding your nature and what life in you can offer. Keep us always anchored in you for all life brings our way. Amen.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus traveled to many towns and cities as his ministry evolved, preaching to those who came to hear him and healing many who were sick.
One day, Jesus decided to go up a mountain along with the disciples and teach them by offering a series of lessons, later known as the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon described the whole spectrum of life in the kingdom, mentioning the poor and the meek, those who are mourning or hungry, those who are pure in heart or merciful, the peacemakers and the persecuted.
Why Are Those Who Suffer Blessed?
I've always wondered why the word "blessed' was paired with each of these conditions. Why are those who are hungry and persecuted blessed? Why are those who mourn blessed? Usually I associate the word, "blessing" or "blessed" with a gift bestowed by God. Why would mourning or being hungry or persecuted be gifts from God? These passages seem to be a contradiction.
I spent some time studying the word "blessed" and reading about the interpretation and meaning of these passages. "Blessed" means divinely favored and receiving from God.
Those who are grieving, hungry and persecuted are blessed because they are not alone. God is with them. Being blessed means that when suffering happens, we can be open to receive God's presence, love, hope, strength and encouragement to help get through difficult days.
My Reflection
In my reflection with this passage, I focused on verse four, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Loss was heavy on my mind and familiar to my heart. I carry loss from my past. I was also mindful for the 10 people I have know who died since August, 2017, some of whom were close friends, others parents of friends, while others were acquaintances.
I received a thank you note from the mother of one of Anna's friends, who died after an eight month battle with cancer. Anna and I made a donation to his place of employment. At the end of the note she said, "Life is hard, God is good."
She was stating a beatitude about mourning in reverse. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Her comment could be reordered to say, "God is good, but life is hard," to reflect the language of the beatitude.
By saying, "God is good," she is opening herself to the vast experience of God's presence, mercy, love, compassion, and comfort in the midst of heartbreak and tremendous grief, that indeed, makes life hard.
God Is With Us
When difficult times come our way, being blessed may not be our first thought. However, knowing that "blessed" means that God is with us, we do not have to go through our days alone, for all that God offers is available. God welcomes us into his presence.
Questions for Reflection
1. What does blessed mean to you?
2. When you have experienced grief, hunger or persecution do you feel blessed?
3. How has God helped you through rough times with the assurance you are not alone, but blessed?
Prayer: God, sometimes you speak in ways that seem confusing. When we explore your language we have new ways of understanding your nature and what life in you can offer. Keep us always anchored in you for all life brings our way. Amen.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
What Makes Church A Holy Place
"St. Sava is the place that keeps our Serbian culture alive in New York (City).Without it, I'm lost," said one church member after a fire destroyed the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava on May 6, 2016.
"The grand, gothic arches have welcomed me every Sunday since 1973, framing baptisms, weddings and funerals," she continued.
As an act of solidarity, Calvary Episcopal Church, a few blocks away, offered to house the services for St. Sava in their sanctuary until the cathedral is reconstructed.
A group of parishoners looked at the beautiful stained-glass windows inside the Calvary sanctuary. "The place is unfamiliar," they said, "but God and the prayers are the same. It's not our church, but it's a holy place. Wherever we go God will be with us."
Differences in Church Buildings
Church buildings are all different. Some resemble auditoriums, while others are more traditional with wooden pews and a center aisle. Some feature altars and crosses, while others cover the walls with art and provide no chairs, instead having their worshipers stand.
Despite these differences, they do have a common feature - they are places where just being inside can draw people to God.
Church Buildings as a Conversation
An article by church architects, David Woodhouse and Andy Tinucci ("Building Faith," in the February, 2017, issue of "Guideposts") explained how these two men feel about designing a church.
"We think of our designs as one side of a conversation. The building says something to the worshiper and the worshiper completes the conversation by responding with his or her faith. That's why we try not to put too many pictures or words into our designs. We keep things abstract. We try to give worshipers room to have their own experience of God using their own imaginations."
In the design philosophy, light, building materials, size, sound, wood, stone or carpeted floors all contribute to a persons's experience of God when entering - and their conversation with God in worship.
Churches I Have Known
This article caused me to pause and recall the design of the churches Mike pastored through the years. When he was in seminary at Duke Divinity School, he served three, small country churches painted white with tall steeples. There were no frills or decorations, the altar and pulpit were the main focus. Two of the churches had cemeteries next to them, as was common long ago.
The remaining churches, all in Indiana, had unique features. Two had balconies (First United Methodist Church in New Castle, and First United Methodist Church in Vincennes). Two, (Faith and Zoar United Methodist) had a belfry where children took turns each week pulling the thick, frayed twine cord to move the bell, signaling the beginning of worship.
Another church (Center United Methodist in Indianapolis) had a long, center aisle with fifty pews on either side. Eight, long rectangular stained-glass windows, installed during Mike's tenure, offered an impressive side focus to the sanctuary.
Mike's last church, Fishers United Methodist, had four aisles, with brides having the choice to enter from any one. A descending dove depicted in layered bricks on a wall behind the altar was a striking reminder of the Holy Spirit.
Until I read the article in "Guideposts," I never thought about how construction of a church could influence the worship experience or draw people together, giving them space for their own private time with God. The two architects believe that churches "need to be free of the distractions of modern life." While I have loved the stained glass of Center Church and the brick dove descending at Fishers, I like the idea that a distraction-free worship space is a gift to the busy, modern person who craves a conversation with God.
Your Church
What makes you sense God's presence in your church or in churches you've visited? Where do your eyes focus when you enter the sanctuary? On the lights, organ pipes, woodwork, carpet, flowers, altar cloths, candles, stained-glass windows, pictures, the choir, the pastor, the organ? Do you find them a distraction, or do they invite you to conversation with God?
The Church I Attend
Because I attend a large church and sit toward the middle of the sanctuary. I have trouble seeing the altar, especially when people stand. The large fount used for baptism is in my direct view, but what sets me in alignment with God is when I see the five-tiered row of votive candles on a table to the right of the sanctuary. Watching people light a candle, and pause, forms a beautiful picture of coming to God in prayer. I always light a candle at the end of each service for myself or others for whom I pray.
The congregation of St. Sava will surely miss worship each week in their holy place. However, the generosity of Calvary Episcopal Church clearly demonstrates the love of Jesus. I pray in time, the Serbians will find new markers in the sanctuary, that will help them find and hold God's presence. They will rebuild their own space after the devastating fire, perhaps inviting more conversation with God than ever before.
Questions for Reflection
1. Do you find the space where you worship a distraction-free zone? If not, what kind of conversation does it invite?
2. Where does your eye fall as you sit or stand in worship? How does your focus affect your time with God?
Prayer: The generosity, God, of your people in times of adversity demonstrates the way we are always in mission to others. Bless those who are displaced and help them find their familiarity in you despite difficult circumstances. May we all find a rich, deep, intimate conversation with you in the space where we gather to worship. Amen.
"The grand, gothic arches have welcomed me every Sunday since 1973, framing baptisms, weddings and funerals," she continued.
As an act of solidarity, Calvary Episcopal Church, a few blocks away, offered to house the services for St. Sava in their sanctuary until the cathedral is reconstructed.
A group of parishoners looked at the beautiful stained-glass windows inside the Calvary sanctuary. "The place is unfamiliar," they said, "but God and the prayers are the same. It's not our church, but it's a holy place. Wherever we go God will be with us."
Differences in Church Buildings
Church buildings are all different. Some resemble auditoriums, while others are more traditional with wooden pews and a center aisle. Some feature altars and crosses, while others cover the walls with art and provide no chairs, instead having their worshipers stand.
Despite these differences, they do have a common feature - they are places where just being inside can draw people to God.
Church Buildings as a Conversation
An article by church architects, David Woodhouse and Andy Tinucci ("Building Faith," in the February, 2017, issue of "Guideposts") explained how these two men feel about designing a church.
"We think of our designs as one side of a conversation. The building says something to the worshiper and the worshiper completes the conversation by responding with his or her faith. That's why we try not to put too many pictures or words into our designs. We keep things abstract. We try to give worshipers room to have their own experience of God using their own imaginations."
In the design philosophy, light, building materials, size, sound, wood, stone or carpeted floors all contribute to a persons's experience of God when entering - and their conversation with God in worship.
Churches I Have Known
This article caused me to pause and recall the design of the churches Mike pastored through the years. When he was in seminary at Duke Divinity School, he served three, small country churches painted white with tall steeples. There were no frills or decorations, the altar and pulpit were the main focus. Two of the churches had cemeteries next to them, as was common long ago.
The remaining churches, all in Indiana, had unique features. Two had balconies (First United Methodist Church in New Castle, and First United Methodist Church in Vincennes). Two, (Faith and Zoar United Methodist) had a belfry where children took turns each week pulling the thick, frayed twine cord to move the bell, signaling the beginning of worship.
Another church (Center United Methodist in Indianapolis) had a long, center aisle with fifty pews on either side. Eight, long rectangular stained-glass windows, installed during Mike's tenure, offered an impressive side focus to the sanctuary.
Mike's last church, Fishers United Methodist, had four aisles, with brides having the choice to enter from any one. A descending dove depicted in layered bricks on a wall behind the altar was a striking reminder of the Holy Spirit.
Until I read the article in "Guideposts," I never thought about how construction of a church could influence the worship experience or draw people together, giving them space for their own private time with God. The two architects believe that churches "need to be free of the distractions of modern life." While I have loved the stained glass of Center Church and the brick dove descending at Fishers, I like the idea that a distraction-free worship space is a gift to the busy, modern person who craves a conversation with God.
Your Church
What makes you sense God's presence in your church or in churches you've visited? Where do your eyes focus when you enter the sanctuary? On the lights, organ pipes, woodwork, carpet, flowers, altar cloths, candles, stained-glass windows, pictures, the choir, the pastor, the organ? Do you find them a distraction, or do they invite you to conversation with God?
The Church I Attend
Because I attend a large church and sit toward the middle of the sanctuary. I have trouble seeing the altar, especially when people stand. The large fount used for baptism is in my direct view, but what sets me in alignment with God is when I see the five-tiered row of votive candles on a table to the right of the sanctuary. Watching people light a candle, and pause, forms a beautiful picture of coming to God in prayer. I always light a candle at the end of each service for myself or others for whom I pray.
The congregation of St. Sava will surely miss worship each week in their holy place. However, the generosity of Calvary Episcopal Church clearly demonstrates the love of Jesus. I pray in time, the Serbians will find new markers in the sanctuary, that will help them find and hold God's presence. They will rebuild their own space after the devastating fire, perhaps inviting more conversation with God than ever before.
Questions for Reflection
1. Do you find the space where you worship a distraction-free zone? If not, what kind of conversation does it invite?
2. Where does your eye fall as you sit or stand in worship? How does your focus affect your time with God?
Prayer: The generosity, God, of your people in times of adversity demonstrates the way we are always in mission to others. Bless those who are displaced and help them find their familiarity in you despite difficult circumstances. May we all find a rich, deep, intimate conversation with you in the space where we gather to worship. Amen.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Full Circle with the Body of Christ
Mike and I volunteered to serve communion on World Communion Sunday last October. We were assigned to the right balcony on the east side of the sanctuary.
We normally sit on the main level, so being placed "above" gave us a new perspective on worship. After the sermon, we left our pew and went to a small table in the hallway where we found a chalice filled with grape juice and a loaf of bread wrapped with a burgundy towel.
After the communion liturgy, the congregation began to make their way to where we were standing.
"The body of Christ broken for you," I said, handing a small piece of bread to the person in my row.
"The blood of Christ shed for you," Mike said as each one dipped his or her piece of bread in the juice.
The last three people to take communion we knew from the last church Mike pastored: John, and his son, Sam and Sam's wife.
As we were driving home after the service, Mike commented, "The last time I gave communion to John, he was one of the people making life difficult at the church. What a difference twenty-two years makes."
In 1997, after Mike had been at Fishers United Methodist Church for a year, a lesbian couple became members. Many people were uncomfortable having these two women and their son as part of the congregation. John and his wife, were among the most vocal in protest. Eventually, over forty families left the church, including John and his family. Those days brought great challenge to Mike as he dealt with the conflict.
Just a few months ago, Mike saw John at Starbucks. They caught up on what happened in John's life , including the death of his wife. As they talked, John apologized for his actions, and words spoken many years ago, offering Mike a sense of resolution of a difficult situation.
John came full circle with Mike over a chalice of grape juice and a loaf of bread. In the brokenness of the body of Christ there is love, understanding and acceptance.
The body of Christ broken for you ... for us.
The blood of Christ shed for you ... for all of us.
Reflection Questions
1. Is there someone in your life with whom you've had conflict or disagreement?
2. Have you resolved or made an effort to talk about the difficulty and come to a place of reconciliation?
3. Ask God for clarity as you remember and consider a new way of being with the individual.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the way healing comes in your children. Grant us wisdom and vision to "mend our fences" so we can offer peace and acceptance to all. Amen.
We normally sit on the main level, so being placed "above" gave us a new perspective on worship. After the sermon, we left our pew and went to a small table in the hallway where we found a chalice filled with grape juice and a loaf of bread wrapped with a burgundy towel.
After the communion liturgy, the congregation began to make their way to where we were standing.
"The body of Christ broken for you," I said, handing a small piece of bread to the person in my row.
"The blood of Christ shed for you," Mike said as each one dipped his or her piece of bread in the juice.
The last three people to take communion we knew from the last church Mike pastored: John, and his son, Sam and Sam's wife.
As we were driving home after the service, Mike commented, "The last time I gave communion to John, he was one of the people making life difficult at the church. What a difference twenty-two years makes."
In 1997, after Mike had been at Fishers United Methodist Church for a year, a lesbian couple became members. Many people were uncomfortable having these two women and their son as part of the congregation. John and his wife, were among the most vocal in protest. Eventually, over forty families left the church, including John and his family. Those days brought great challenge to Mike as he dealt with the conflict.
Just a few months ago, Mike saw John at Starbucks. They caught up on what happened in John's life , including the death of his wife. As they talked, John apologized for his actions, and words spoken many years ago, offering Mike a sense of resolution of a difficult situation.
John came full circle with Mike over a chalice of grape juice and a loaf of bread. In the brokenness of the body of Christ there is love, understanding and acceptance.
The body of Christ broken for you ... for us.
The blood of Christ shed for you ... for all of us.
Reflection Questions
1. Is there someone in your life with whom you've had conflict or disagreement?
2. Have you resolved or made an effort to talk about the difficulty and come to a place of reconciliation?
3. Ask God for clarity as you remember and consider a new way of being with the individual.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the way healing comes in your children. Grant us wisdom and vision to "mend our fences" so we can offer peace and acceptance to all. Amen.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Kate Bowler - God Whose Name is Love
Last week, I wrote about thirty-seven-year-old Kate Bowler's latest book, Everything Happens for A Reason and Other Lies I've Loved. The book grew from her experiences following a diagnosis of Stage IV colon cancer three years ago.
I saved the spring, 2018, issue of the Duke Alumni magazine, because of a feature and update on Kate, who teaches at the Duke Divinity School. The article reported that Kate continues to be part of a small group of patients receiving an experimental immunotherapy treatment which, fortunately, is working. She receives a CT scan every ninety days and if nothing has spread - if nothing looks worse - she gets another three month reprieve.
"She described her life now as 'vine to vine'. She chose the best vine available, hopes there'll be another one after that one and gives her best swing over and over."
She added, "My own post-diagnosis world has brought me into a different relationship with God." In the midst of heartbreak, she is surprised to feel the presence of God more powerfully. "The only category I understand more is the love of God. Both the experience of wanting to be close to God and the surprise of the feeling that God is close to me."
The Love of God
The love of God is core for our beliefs as Christians. I remember when I was a child attending Sunday school in an Episcopal church, a song we sang almost every week is the early 20th century children's hymn, "God Whose Name Is Love." The verses include the following:
God whose name is love, happy children we,
Listen to the hymn that we sing to thee.
Bless us everyone, singing here to thee,
God whose name is love, loving may we be.
Carrying this song in my heart over sixty-five years speaks to the importance of the words as a foundation to my life. The song not only describes who God is - love - but also offers a challenge in the last line - "loving may we be" - how to live with others.
Growing up in a home that was less than loving made the words in this song even more important. I recall praying at my desk in elementary school or on the playground at recess and feeling God's love in my heart. God's love sustained me then, and continues to ground me at all times.
Jesus Is Love
Jesus, the embodiment of God's love, models throughout the gospels how to treat others, even those who are outcasts or on the fringe of life. He affirmed others by acknowledging them as children of God, which brought healing and strength to those people who came to hear Jesus preach and teach.
Filled and fueled by God's love, Jesus made an impact and modeled love by God's design.
Showing Love Unexpectedly
The church I attend has a small table in front of the sanctuary filled with tiered layers of votive candles available for lighting. Every week when the service ends, Mike and I light candles and pray.
A few Sundays ago, just after I lit my candle and turned to walk away, a lady approached, crying. I paused and put my arm around her for a few minutes as she lit a candle and continued sobbing. She slowly gained control of her emotions and I left.
A few minutes later, I was passing through the fellowship hall where people gather to drink coffee or eat a donut and visit. I saw her and as I approached, her eyes filled with tears. When I gave her another hug, I said, "I prayed that you would feel God's love and presence." She smiled.
Opportunities for spreading God's love are everywhere and often unexpected.
Love
Dealing with a serious illness has shaken and changed Kate Bowler. She says, "I do possess a solid belief in God, but I don't call that faith. I don't know what faith is, I really don't. I just don't know what it means right now."
Despite her struggles with faith and certainty, Kate is resting in the love of God to sustain her through these days as she teaches and is a wife and mother.
Although my path has not involved illness, a simple song in Sunday school, launched me into God's abundant love and gave me hope when I was in elementary school. I hold onto that same hope all these years later.
"Bless us everyone, singing here to thee,
God whose name is love, loving may we be."
Reflection Questions
1. What is sustaining to you when life is hard?
2. How can you model Jesus' love and the last line in my childhood song, "loving may we be" to family, friends, and even strangers.
Prayer: Generous God, you lavish your love on us in the ways you offer care for our bodies, minds and souls. Even though we sin, and fall short of where we need to be as your children, your abundant love comes to us wherever we are. Let us be grateful for your never ending goodness. Amen.
I saved the spring, 2018, issue of the Duke Alumni magazine, because of a feature and update on Kate, who teaches at the Duke Divinity School. The article reported that Kate continues to be part of a small group of patients receiving an experimental immunotherapy treatment which, fortunately, is working. She receives a CT scan every ninety days and if nothing has spread - if nothing looks worse - she gets another three month reprieve.
"She described her life now as 'vine to vine'. She chose the best vine available, hopes there'll be another one after that one and gives her best swing over and over."
She added, "My own post-diagnosis world has brought me into a different relationship with God." In the midst of heartbreak, she is surprised to feel the presence of God more powerfully. "The only category I understand more is the love of God. Both the experience of wanting to be close to God and the surprise of the feeling that God is close to me."
The Love of God
The love of God is core for our beliefs as Christians. I remember when I was a child attending Sunday school in an Episcopal church, a song we sang almost every week is the early 20th century children's hymn, "God Whose Name Is Love." The verses include the following:
God whose name is love, happy children we,
Listen to the hymn that we sing to thee.
Bless us everyone, singing here to thee,
God whose name is love, loving may we be.
Carrying this song in my heart over sixty-five years speaks to the importance of the words as a foundation to my life. The song not only describes who God is - love - but also offers a challenge in the last line - "loving may we be" - how to live with others.
Growing up in a home that was less than loving made the words in this song even more important. I recall praying at my desk in elementary school or on the playground at recess and feeling God's love in my heart. God's love sustained me then, and continues to ground me at all times.
Jesus Is Love
Jesus, the embodiment of God's love, models throughout the gospels how to treat others, even those who are outcasts or on the fringe of life. He affirmed others by acknowledging them as children of God, which brought healing and strength to those people who came to hear Jesus preach and teach.
Filled and fueled by God's love, Jesus made an impact and modeled love by God's design.
Showing Love Unexpectedly
The church I attend has a small table in front of the sanctuary filled with tiered layers of votive candles available for lighting. Every week when the service ends, Mike and I light candles and pray.
A few Sundays ago, just after I lit my candle and turned to walk away, a lady approached, crying. I paused and put my arm around her for a few minutes as she lit a candle and continued sobbing. She slowly gained control of her emotions and I left.
A few minutes later, I was passing through the fellowship hall where people gather to drink coffee or eat a donut and visit. I saw her and as I approached, her eyes filled with tears. When I gave her another hug, I said, "I prayed that you would feel God's love and presence." She smiled.
Opportunities for spreading God's love are everywhere and often unexpected.
Love
Dealing with a serious illness has shaken and changed Kate Bowler. She says, "I do possess a solid belief in God, but I don't call that faith. I don't know what faith is, I really don't. I just don't know what it means right now."
Despite her struggles with faith and certainty, Kate is resting in the love of God to sustain her through these days as she teaches and is a wife and mother.
Although my path has not involved illness, a simple song in Sunday school, launched me into God's abundant love and gave me hope when I was in elementary school. I hold onto that same hope all these years later.
"Bless us everyone, singing here to thee,
God whose name is love, loving may we be."
Reflection Questions
1. What is sustaining to you when life is hard?
2. How can you model Jesus' love and the last line in my childhood song, "loving may we be" to family, friends, and even strangers.
Prayer: Generous God, you lavish your love on us in the ways you offer care for our bodies, minds and souls. Even though we sin, and fall short of where we need to be as your children, your abundant love comes to us wherever we are. Let us be grateful for your never ending goodness. Amen.
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