Daily Devotion

During these strange times, I have gone through a whole variety of emotions as I’m sure you all have. Occasionally, in the midst of those moments, I am reminded of a word or verse from the scriptures that seems to help me in processing those emotions. This week I thought I would share a few of those verses that have given me pause during these unprecedented times. 

At the start of this pandemic I was struck by a deep sadness. The idea that the kids’ school year would be cut short. The looming fears of what this would mean for particularly vulnerable populations in our communities felt so heavy. The first week we had to post our worship materials online in lieu of gathering together. I was low.

As a person who gets most of their energy from interacting with people, I felt a serious disconnect from the thing that was typically the source of my optimism and joy: The community! I miss y’all! 

However, in those moments of mourning the gathering time we would typically share, I shouldn’t be surprised that I was reminded of a passage I often read during funerals. 

Romans 8: God’s Love in Christ Jesus
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.[w] 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
    we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.

I can’t explain why these words, in particular, give me comfort. It may or may not be because I have heard and spoken them in so many holy moments at hospital bedsides and during funerals.  All I know is…They just do. They bring me comfort and a feeling of assurance. Assurance that regardless of circumstance, we are not truly separated.  In truth, we are connected. Deeply and undeniably connected.  Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor covid, nor school closings, nor social distancing, nor elections, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

* if music speaks to you… I will admit this tune inspires a similar confidence
https://youtu.be/ABfQuZqq8wg  * 
 

1 comments on article "Daily Devotion"

barbara watson

I love the tune! It was our 'theme song' 4 years ago at IHSD! There is no mountain high enough to keep me from teaching, caring, and nurturing my students. Likewise - God is always with us.

7/13/2020 1:49 PM

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