Tuesday Devotion

One of the perplexingly beautiful parts of being a pastor is the permission that people give you to enter the milestones of their lives. Whether it is being with people during the joys of pregnancy or the struggles of infertility, whether it is being present during a major accomplishment or being present to speak a word of God's peace when life falls apart; there is a mysterious beauty to it all. The beauty is that somehow God enfolds all of our stories into God's grand story. I believe that "somehow" consists of the events that Jesus endured and triumphed-over during Holy Week.

 

Throughout this past week, I was present when a beloved parishioner named Bob lay dying in the hospital. During the visit that Bob was last able to speak, I slowly aided him through the Lord's Prayer, that is until Bob took a deep breath and began to shout out, "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever! Amen!" The nurse actually poked her head in the room because she was surprised that Bob was able to do this.

 

Bob understood that his stories, and his overall life story, all somehow mysteriously fit into God's grand story. In that hospital bed, Bob was going to declare this belief one final time – this belief that no matter what occurs, God forever has all authority, power, and glory – and Bob declared this with gusto.

 

One passage of scripture that was shared with Bob and his family during the course of last week was Isaiah 43:1-3. But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

 

Whether you are confronted with death or with the very serious stress of school, whether you are celebrating the joys of life or its pains, know that your story is enfolded in God's story. Whenever you pass through the waters or walk through the flames of life, know that God is with you, because God has laid claim on you and has called you by name.