Blog
Monday, November 2, 2020
Today’s reflection is written by Jade Schwich.
There is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. —Romans 3:22-24
I’ve been known to screw up now and then. The spring before my senior year of college, I never signed up for housing for the following school year. I ignored email after email thinking that they didn’t pertain to me. When I finally realized this screw-up, it seemed too late. The deadlines had passed. Would I have to commute each day to school? Would there be any spots left for me on campus?
I walked to the housing office and sheepishly admitted my mistake. The woman working there was understandably frustrated by my negligence but she said I wasn’t to worry. There would be a spot for me on campus after all! I breathed a sigh of relief and was grateful that I didn’t have to suffer the natural consequences of my stupid mistake. Not only that, but I ended up getting to room with an amazing young woman whose faith continues to inspire me to this day!
God is good. We have all screwed up. We don’t deserve good gifts. And our Lord showers us with gifts anyway. And he has given us the gift that no one else could give: forgiveness for our sins and redemption through Christ. Rejoice and be glad in our Lord who is faithful to us all! Amen.
Friday, October 30, 2020
Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.
“Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.” —Exodus 34:21
Are you able to keep a Sabbath day, where you rest all day and don’t do any work, except maybe just attending worship services? I have trouble doing this. I can maybe set aside part of a day, but a whole day? Ask any mom if they are able to do this. After all, people need to be fed, children need to be taken care of, dishes need to be washed, etc. Even if you are not a mom, I am guessing you have a lot of things that need to get done. The world doesn’t stand still just because it is a Sabbath day!
Jesus understood this, so he reminded us that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). God knows how hard we work and what we deal with every day, so he wants us to take time for ourselves to refresh and recharge. He wants us to rest in him and find inspiration in his word that will carry us through our days and our trials. God wants us to find time to slow down and rest because he cares about us and doesn’t want us to burn out.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed, take a few moments of Sabbath rest. Pray. Read your Bible or a devotion. Sing a hymn or a praise song. Or just sit and center yourself in God. You may find these moments so calming that you will want to do them more. And maybe once in a while you can take a half or whole day for rest.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). May you find your rest in Jesus.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Who is a rock besides our God? Psalm 18:31
I can’t tell you precisely when it occurred or what was going on, but I have a deep emotional memory of walking through the door of my house and feeling completely at ease. Like whatever was weighing on me that day was just left right outside the door. Whatever had been bothering me prior to getting home didn’t vanish. It would likely still be there needing to be dealt with on the next day, but for the next 16 hours, I was at peace. I felt safe.
Where was that place for you? Your home? A friend’s house? School? A grandparent’s house? That feeling I’m describing taps into what the Psalmist is saying about God.
Attributed to David, this Psalm is a response to God delivering David from his enemies (including King Saul). The Psalmist is describing God as ”the inaccessible rocky crag or mountain hideaway in which the beleaguered psalmist can rest secure from all attacks.”
The feeling of peace I described earlier is accessible to us no matter where we are when we develop our relationship with God. We can “rest secure” in God, in all times and in all places, even while the troubles of life remain.
May each of us grow closer to God today. May we find peace, even while under attack from the enemy.
