Good morning…
I was not expecting to wake up yesterday to the message below written by my husband, a high school chaplain who takes his monthly turn writing a weekly devotional with their team of chaplains. It is as if he opened up the bag and let out all our scared cats.
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Morning Devotional for January 7, 2020 – by Rev. Steve Allen
My 18 year old asked me a question the other day that I wasn’t prepared for. It was a question I hadn’t heard from my oldest son when he was 18 or from my two daughters when they were 18 either. The question was this, “Dad do you think there’s going to be a draft?” I hadn’t really given it any thought but after he asked, it stirred up all kinds of emotions in me. It sent me back to when I was a kid and one of our neighbors was serving in Vietnam (I realize I’m giving away my age). I was not 18. In fact, I think I was around 10 at the time but I remember a certain feeling of dread about the whole war thing. I remember lying awake at night wondering if I would be drafted when I turned 18. I wondered if I might end up heading off to war like my next-door neighbor. When my son asked me that question it was the first time I’d thought about those sleepless nights in over 40 years. However, I pulled myself out of my trip down memory lane long enough to try to utter some words of comfort and assurance. But I realized as I was saying them that I really have no idea what the future holds, and I can only imagine how unsettling it is for him. He’s probably wrestling with some of those same thoughts and fears I had as I lay awake thinking about my own uncertain future. The events of the past week have no doubt given him pause about the future he’d envisioned for himself.
As we begin this new year there is a lot to be unsettled about with regards to the future. Fires are ravaging Australia. There have been threats of retaliation from Iran. And we’re in an election year which is sure to be divisive no matter which side you’re on. With all of this news greeting us in 2020 we could choose to hold the view I heard from another 18 year-old recently as he pondered the state of the world: “We’re doomed.” And yet, perhaps we could all stand to read aloud the words from this week’s lectionary text: Psalm 29. As I read them this past week I found myself feeling strangely hopeful despite my son’s fears and his classmate’s pessimism. I find myself holding onto these words with a sense of hope and comfort and I offer them up to you as we begin this new year together.
The Lord sits enthroned over the cedars.
The Lord shakes the wilderness.
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood.
The Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people.
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
As this new year begins there is an unsettled nature to so much going on around us. And yet while we can’t know for certain all that will take place in 2020 we can be certain that we have a God who sits enthroned above it all and will give us strength for the journey wherever it takes us. May we head into this year knowing that while we may not know what our future holds we do know who holds our future. May the Lord bless us with peace along the way.
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So where is God in all of this unsettling uncertainty? He is sitting. He is sitting enthroned. He is sitting enthroned above. He is sitting enthroned above as king. Forever. From a position of peaceful power and panoramic perspective, our Lord strengthens us to let go of each flaming fear. Our minds make worry. God’s power gives peace. Remember? Peace is Jesus’ parting gift as he leaves earth for heaven. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27-28, NIV).
Whatever our age or our life stage, will we take time to make this life-giving exchange – our feeble fears for God’s powerful peace? As we prayerfully release worry after worry, the palpable peace of God rises up from within. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, GNT).
…Sue…
