Devotion - May 5

When Jesus sends out his disciples, he sends them out two by two. This was a wise thing to do.

Having a traveling companion meant you had someone to support you when you were weak. Having a fellow servant meant you had someone with whom to explore insights. Having a buddy meant that you didn't feel so alone, even when the way was lonely.

You have been my companion these past months. Over the course of the academic year we have carried on a conversation. Knowing that you are there provides fuel for my prayers and an additional purpose to my mediation.

I will miss you over the summer.

It is more difficult to maintain my prayer discipline over the summer. Without you there, it is easier to sleep in, or sleep right up to the time I need to be out the door. Without responses and updates, names begin to fall off my prayer list - assuming that the crisis is over or the need met.

I do better when I have a traveling companion.

Perhaps some of this applies to your summer as well. Many (most) of you report home congregations with small (or non-existent) youth groups. Who will be there as a spiritual travel companion as you return home. You have grown and developed and matured in your faith. Even those who were with you in past years may have grown in ways which have lead you to differing places.

My prayer for you, my prayer for all of us, as we conclude this year together, is that you will intentionally seek out someone with whom you can spend the summer, traveling your spiritual path. It might be a high school friend. Perhaps that pastor who you barely listened to in confirmation but is eager to have you return now and ask all those questions. It might be your parents, or a trusted member of the congregation.

Jesus sent his disciples out two by two. There is a lot of wisdom in that decision. Perhaps one of the wisest things we can do is apply this instruction to our own life.

God will be with you. God will watch over you. Remember me in your prayers and I will remember you. And we will renew our conversations come August.