Devotional Messages

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE

Luke 21:25-26 – “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.  People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Mark 13:32-33 – “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” (NRSV)

It’s not hard to feel like the world is coming to an end these days.  Devastating floods, raging wildfires, powerful earthquakes – wars and rumors of wars – not to mention tomorrow’s eclipse – all together make it feel like someone is trying to warn us of something!  Religious history is full of prophets of doom who like to match certain verses of scripture with contemporary events to “prove” that armageddon is on its way.  These days, even the non-religious are wondering what all the recent turmoil might mean.

Though scripture has Jesus himself contributing to the scriptures that fuel this sort of apocalyptic speculation, it also has him teaching us to look and live beyond such fears.  We don’t have any way of knowing what the future holds, so in the meantime (which is now) we are simply called to be faithful.

Whether faithfulness looks like donating to humanitarian relief or working to combat climate change or build peace, there are thousands of ways we can answer God’s call to love our neighbors and care for God’s glorious creation.  Perhaps the most important thing we can do for ourselves and one another is help dispel fear.  If we can keep sharing our convictions and hope.  The universe was created in love and is held in love.  Despite any evidence to the contrary, God holds the end in that same love, which is stronger than death or destruction.  We don’t have to give in to despair or panic.