Devotion - May 3 - Last offering for the Year

As he was facing his own imminent death, my beloved seminary professor (Joe Sittler) mused that while he didn't know exactly what to expect, God had been so good to him throughout his life that he trusted that whatever came after death would be wonderful also.  I have always drawn great comfort from his insight and the wisdom of his words.

 

We don't know what resurrected life will be like.  There are passing references in the Bible, some conflicting, some ambivalent.  All those comments by well wishers that heaven is more of the best of what we enjoy now arise out of piety, not solid Biblical exegesis.

We don't know.  But God has been so good in giving us all this that we look forward to whatevef it will be, with great anticipation.

The semester is coming to an end.  Cars are already packed for many and residence halls as well as apartments are emptying out.  For some, it is a summer break.  For others it is graduation.  

What will come next?

In all honesty, we don't know, exactly. 

But the time we have had together is been so good.  The time we have had together has been a gift from God.  It is God's Word and God's presence which has brought us together and held us together.  God has been gracious in providing all this for us.  And, so, we will embrace what comes next knowing that it too is a gift from God and trusting that it will be good.  Very good.

God go with you - for the summer, into your careers.  God be with you, along with the assurance of each other's prayers.  Thank you for sharing yourself this year and may the blessing you have been return as a blessing upon you.  We will regather in August and begin the celebration of the new thing which God will do among us then.