Pastor’s Email Devotion The Week of Easter 5 May 18, 2014 SCRIPTURE -- So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Corinthians 5:17-18, NRS) REFLECTION -- We were babysitting our grandson this weekend while mom and dad were at a wedding. He is working on words in general, and the difference between “yes” and “no” specifically. He is really good at “no” as most little ones are, and seems to be getting a little better at “yes” which shows up sporadically when he is prompted and cajoled. “No” comes out all too naturally, unfortunately. The “yes’s” come out a little more deliberately, as if Sam really needs to think through whether the particular situation has earned a “yes.” As we worked to rehearse the “yes’s” (the “no’s” need no practice) over the weekend with him, I found myself thinking that a lot of us are16-month-olds when it comes to “yes’s and no’s.” We seem to be far more comfortable responding with instinctive “no’s” than we are with offering “yes’s.” Why is that? Are “no’s” simply easier to voice? Are we more cautious to offer the commitment to an idea or event or relationship that “yes’s” often communicate? I really don’t think of people as inherently negative … but “no’s” seem to outweigh the “yes’s” in life. Why? And why do we Christians allow ourselves to get caught up in this? Watch a sunset … gaze at the ocean on a stormy day … hold a newborn … listen to a virtuoso cellist … God is clearly an abundant God who has said “yes” to us in the biggest way possible – in the created world, in making us his children, in the gift of salvation. God overwhelms us with gifs of grace and life … and our knee-jerk reaction is to respond “no”? Really? So in your prayer and reflection this week, do a bit of self-examination. Are a nay-sayer more than you are a “yea-sayer?” If so, ask yourself why, and pray about how to change your perspective. If not, then give thanks to God whose potent love and grace has captured your heart, and celebrate the “yes” God has spoken to you. Oh, and consider passing that “yes” along to others. PRAYER -- How wonderful, O Lord, are the works of your hands! The heavens declare your glory, the arch of the sky displays your handiwork in your love you have given us the power to behold the beauty of your world robed in all its splendor. The sun and the stars, the valleys and the hills, the rivers and the lakes all disclose your presence. The roaring breakers of the sea tell of your awesome might, the beast of the field and the birds of the air bespeak your wondrous will. In Your goodness you have made us able to hear the music of the world. The voices of the loved ones reveal to us that you are in our midst. A divine voice sings through all creation. ~~A Traditional Jewish Prayer
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 03:20:04 +0000
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