Devotion.al

Tag: reflection

  • End of Ends

    End of Ends

    Psalm 4; Daniel 9:1–19; 1 John 2:18–25

    Eschatology. It is a fabulous theological . It means the study of the Times. You can watch plenty of End Times theology on TV. It usually involves zombies, nuclear weapons, or (my personal favorite) large reptilian creatures that like to stomp cities.

    Less the actual Eschatological part, that was all tongue-in-cheek. Sort of. How we view the End Times says a lot about our perspective of the world, our personal struggles, and even our cultural struggles.

    A number of years ago I read a summary (only the summary) of research regarding End Times (also called the , not the mutant—comic book reference). There was a cross-section of media stories and fiction that would get a bigger presence depending on the general cultural gestalt. Japan, for example, is still dealing with the cultural scars of the nuclear bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Godzilla, in particular, is a cultural image representing nuclear power running amok, and the underlying fear of the results.

    Even as we read about the “Four Horsemen” of the Apocalypse (famine, war, pestilence, ) we can see (with the first 3) some things that were constant companions of fear regarding the end. Death, of course, comes to us all.

    Death is a pretty universal fear. There are very few people in history that do not fear (death is “merely” the result). The power of death over the is significant, and when added to an eschatological framework (see, I used it later) those “things” that we fear most in regards to dying and death become part of our End Times thinking.

    Sometimes death of the self is mixed into the perceived death of culture, identity, and other things. In the case of Daniel, the End Times includes the concept of the death of Israel as a people and a .

    Other times death can be overridden.

    As a result of the Resurrection, the sting of death has been removed. It is no longer permanent for the believers in Christ. What this also allows for is the ability (should we so choose) to our fears of death, End Times, and pretty much everything else.

    With the Resurrection before us, the End Times, or more correctly the fear of the End Times, loses much of its weight for the End Times are merely the opening to eternity.

    ※Reflection※

    • What are your thoughts about End Times? Have you thought about them recently?
    • What emotions do End Times thoughts evoke in you?
    • Why might understanding that End Times are not the end times for believers in Christ be important?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, help us to deepen our trust in you so that the anxieties of the world do not shake our foundation based upon your . Amen.

  • Roads of Dust

    Roads of Dust

    Psalm 135; Isaiah 26:1–15; Mark 12:18–27

    As one of the wealthy nations in the world, passages like this in Isaiah should cause us to reflect. Will all our stuff be crushed to and be walked upon by the poor? If you’re reading this, you may well say, “I am poor.” Truly a lot of us are poor compared to Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Jack Ma Yun, and far too many of our political leaders.

    Compared to the world at large, however, we are (by and large) rich. Not (by any means) to minimize their experiences or circumstances, many even of our homeless live better than many in the world. This is not to say the life of a homeless person is easy, nor that ours are.

    Are we like the people being alluded to in Isaiah? If we take our wealth for granted and disregard God’s blessings…yes. If we don’t take our wealth for granted and continue to look for and be grateful for God’s blessings, we are much less likely to be those “ on high.”

    Yet, while haughtiness, pride, and greed may not be our particular vices, a lack of righteousness may well be. Righteousness, not wealth, not power, is what we are to focus on. It could almost be said that righteousness is second only to , though love without righteousness may not be love at all.

    Godly righteousness results in the () that is being in right with the Living God.

    The Living God concept is of course to be the counterpoint to the dead idols that the people surrounding Israel (and even Israel) worshiped. One cannot have a relationship with a dead idol. then adds to this by saying that God is not a god of the dead. God is the God of the Living.

    There is the surface aspect of this being about the Resurrection and life. There is also a not-so-subtle dig at the gods of the dead: power, wealth, stuff. The dead being both those who had died not knowing God, but even those who were breathing, but were dead because they did not know God.

    ※Reflection※

    • What are some other ways that Isaiah’s words speak to you? Do any cause to reflect on changes that you need to make?
    • How does God being a “God of the Living” affect your understanding of the words from Isaiah?
    • Where in your life (immediate circle of influence) can you be a better and voice for God’s righteousness?

    ※Prayer※

    Living God and God of the Living, quicken our hearts, minds, and spirits to approach your throne of , mercy, and love, so that we are able to share the spark of the Creator with all of those around us. Amen.

  • Gōdspel

    Gōdspel

    Psalm 135; Daniel 6:1–28; 1 John 2:12–17

    If all things were equal, it should be very easy to tell people about , and what Jesus did for them even when they opposed God (Romans 5:6–8). However, in the Western world, and especially in the US/Canada region, it has become difficult for a myriad of reasons. While the enemy of God may have a hand in it and did probably provide some nudges here and there, much of the loss of Jesus has to do with Jesus’ followers.

    While there has been much talk about it is because the White Evangelical was predominately (by appearances, at least) pro-Trump, it has more to do with the empty lives that Christians have been living. This also isn’t strictly a white Evangelical issue, either. Our brothers and sisters in Christ in the “mainline” denominations have been experiencing decline, for they often watered down Christ for other goals (many of which were worthwhile).

    The of Jesus Christ hasn’t lost its or . Western Christians have lost it themselves. Whether it was power or grace, Western chose one or the other and ended up losing the witness.

    All of this sounds harsh, and it is. It hurts to read (and write) it. This also is nothing new. On the other hand, living in the power and grace of God doesn’t necessarily mean anything either, and that can get particularly depressing.

    Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were undeniable witnesses of/to God. By their faith and love of God lived out, their relationship with God was known and acknowledged. In today’s story of Daniel, this was used against Daniel.

    What is troubling is not that people conspired against Daniel. It wasn’t that Darius was deceived by his advisors. It wasn’t even that Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. The most deeply troubling thing was that this witness was not particularly effective. It wasn’t effective at all, really.

    Yes, the witness of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah was ineffective. Their faith was acknowledged. God was acknowledged and even given great accolades. Yet, time and again the Babylonian leaders went against God.

    By the measure of Christian Evangelism, they were failures. It is entirely possible (and even probable) that seeds of faith were planted in Babylon at that time. Certainly, seeds that led to the restoration of Jerusalem (under Nehemiah) were planted. Without the of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah along with their honorable fealty to Babylon, Jerusalem may not have been restored.

    So, why bring up Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah as evangelism failures? We often look at the great ones of the Bible (which these four were) for what they did successfully. We often fail to see what they didn’t do well.

    The opening statements of today’s devotion are about what we haven’t been doing—and continue to not be doing—well. Opening our eyes and hearts and looking at them is fine. We shouldn’t feel bound or weighed down by them. In fact, they should instead provide us the initiative and determination to break these bonds so that we can do as we are commanded, “Go…make disciples…”

    ※Reflection※

    • What other Bible characters can you think of that you only look at one side (good or bad) of their lives? Why do you think that is?
    • Does one’s at evangelism impact one’s witness? Does one’s witness mean that one will successfully evangelize?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, we are to be your into the world. Help us to be the light and to not just light the darkness, but draw people to you. Amen.

  • How Far Do We Go

    How Far Do We Go

    Psalm 135; Daniel 3:1–30; 1 John 2:3–11

    The fiery furnace story with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Hebrew names: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) is one of those ever-present Sunday School stories. It is a great story of , , and most importantly….

    Love. Yes. Faith and trust really only go so far, especially when it comes to one’s death. Love conquers all. If we were to use the phrase used to King David, perhaps that will help. “A man [in this case, men] after the Lord’s own .”Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were men after the Lord’s own heart. Their faith and trust in God had transformed into love. This may seem like a stretch, and that is understandable. Love, though, would seem to be the only movement that would the 3 men to say what they said in to the king.

    The letter from John provides some insight into this conclusion, “But the love of God is truly perfected in whoever keeps his .” Keeping God’s word (i.e., “not worshiping other gods”) was definitely what the 3 men did, and in a way that is both legend and example.

    While a miracle did occur, they did not hold a lack of one against God. As many of us are going through hard times and harder losses, there is a strong to hold the lack of miracles against God. We often want our belief to buy us something with God.

    That is not love. That is bargaining. That is not trust. That is exchange. That is not faith.

    ※Reflection※

    • How should this understanding of love affect our interactions with others? How should this affect our understanding of ?
    • What are lessons that you have learned about the fiery furnace in you ? How did you apply them?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, you have have given us the of faith and love. May we continue to deepen our trust in you that we truly able to trust you fully in all things. Amen.

  • Community Essentials

    Community Essentials

    Psalm 133; John 20:19–31; Acts 4:32–35; 1 John 1:1–2:2

    Security is a very important thing. In many respects, a number of the high-profile political arguments are over what exactly is security. Differing opinions of what includes security and the perception of who is responsible for such security can really create the potential for discord.

    The reason security should be part of our analysis of (in practicality) policies and reactions. experiences can dramatically affect one’s personal perception of security, and may dramatically affect what one considers essential for security.

    As we read Psalm 133, the essentials of security were pretty minimal. Modern conveniences didn’t exist. Concepts such as hospitals and medical care would exist until centuries later. Food, wild animals, and war were the biggest security things. Security was generally among one’s “brothers”. In other words, family was security. Security was also firmly ground on God’s .

    We can find unity in many things. Often unity goes hand-in-hand with security. The disciples were unified in their following of Jesus and their . Fear would not seem to be a security characteristic. Yet fear often drives the pursuit of security, and fear often provides a unifying characteristic so that people are in pursuing the same security with the same motive.

    The unified fear of the Disciples after the crucifixion of Jesus was transformed into a unified sharing of resources that we see in Acts. This passage in Acts is often held up as one of the litmus tests of “true” Christians and the “true” . There is an ideal in it that most of us can appreciate; look out for the benefit of .

    The part that those that hold this up as a litmus test disregards what got them there in the first place. First, we had the unifying story of the 11 original Disciples. Then in the same spirit of unity, the greater circle (of at least 60 or 72) raised 1 of their number (Matthias) to the 12. Then, as the group expanded, there were the struggles that the people of the church has with the Jews and with the Romans. Again, shared fears (and realities) created security in unity.

    This creates emotional security that allows one to be free to care for others in a way that is rarely seen in human history. Even in more collectivist cultures, what is described in acts is unusual.

    This is not to say that we shouldn’t strive for it, but this unique time and place should not be a litmus test for the “perfection” of one’s faith and one’s church. In many respects, those that use it as a litmus test are using worldly stuff (i.e., mammon) to define “real” Christians.

    The real litmus test can be found in 1 John. A that submits to be held accountable to the Word of God, and to each other. True unity is knowing that your fellow Christians are looking out for your interests, in particular, the growth up, wide, and down of your faith in and relationship with Jesus Christ.

    To be fair, this kind of community is often harder to find than a community that shares stuff. Be so united, loving, and trusting with one’s self (versus one’s stuff) is probably the highest bar to hurdle.

    ※Reflection※

    • Can you imagine a community of commons, such as the one in Acts? What would you expect of such a community towards you (and your family) and towards others? How about those outside the community? What would be the requirements of membership in such a community?
    • Are you in a community where your spiritual struggles and growth are shared, encouraged, strengthened, sharpened, and questioned (for improvement)?
      • If not, what would it take for you to be in one? How would you get started with one? Should you?
      • If so, how did the group form? How would you keep it and focused? What are lessons from it that you can so that other groups like yours could be formed?

    ※Prayer※

    Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    Second Sunday of Easter Collect, Book of Common 2019
  • Living Speech

    Living Speech

    Psalm 133; Daniel 2:24–49; John 12:44–50

    One of the gifts of being human is speech. One of the curses of being human is speech.

    Perhaps the whole reason for the King of Babylon’s test of all the magi and wise men was that they all talked too much. Perhaps (as many paid consultants today) they were more than happy to share all their words (with some being wise, maybe) with the king. Perhaps the king was done with all the words and just wanted an answer.

    Of course, his demand for the wise men and magi to know the dream without being told it was pretty harsh. Yet, perhaps the desire to no longer having to listen to empty words created the opportunity to hear words of weight. Daniel spoke God’s word to the King of Babylon. By faithfully delivering God’s word to the King of Babylon, Daniel was obedient. Daniel also used the human gift of speech as a vector of and . This doesn’t mean that it would be listened to, or that it would be transformative in any long-term way. That wasn’t Daniel’s responsibility.

    Even as the of God—part of the — spoke as God directed. Jesus spoke with Truth, grace, and . Jesus’ summary of his words (no judgment, not his words, people won’t necessarily listen).

    What is interesting is how Jesus says all this is really just a result of God’s commanded speech, which is eternal life.

    Eternal life. Jesus’ speaking was eternal life.

    ※Reflection※

    • Is your speech of God? Is your speech produce eternal life?
    • As a follower of Jesus, how do you temper your speech so that is more of God and less of you?
    • What makes human speech of “eternal life”

    ※Prayer※

    Heavenly Father, you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and , and brought us into the of your beloved Son: Grant that, as by his death he has called us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the of the Holy , one God, now and for ever. Amen. [Easter Saturday Collect, Book of Common Prayer 2019]

  • No One Can

    No One Can

    Psalm 133; Daniel 2:1–23; Acts 4:23–31

    “If ____ can’t do it, then no one can!”

    I’ve heard that phrase somewhere. The implication within the phrase that whoever goes in the blank is the deciding factor as to whether something can get done. Sometimes I really wish the blank could be filled. “If _______ can’t get the Democrat and Republican parties to look beyond their respective party for the betterment of the country, then no one can!” So, no one can.

    My personal one…”If _______ can’t get me to like tomatoes and button mushrooms, then no one can.” So, no one can (Yuck!).

    The same concept sort of applies to this story in Daniel. “If you won’t tell us the dream, then no one can interpret it.” Yep, no one can. That is until Daniel. Daniel is in the same theoretical danger as the magicians and wise men of the court. He doesn’t know the dream. They are all doomed.

    Until Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah approached God. God them (after today’s verses). No () one can. God can.

    Peter and John were not the most educated (from verses prior to today). Eloquence was neither trained nor initial gifting. They faced the learned leaders. They faced those that wanted them to fail. They faced those that had something to do with crucifying . Human eloquence and persuasion, or God’s?Through us, God often does amazing things. This is beyond the systematic amazing things (breathing, the sun, the moon, rain, etc.). Often it seems that God does things through us in such a way that it can only be God who does it. Whether people recognize it (including us) or not, those amazing things are still a testimony of God.

    Sometimes it is because we yield our hearts to God. Sometimes it’s because we don’t (think Pharaoh from Exodus or the book of Judges). God still does things that only God can. Humans may claim similar things (like the Egyptian magicians in Exodus), but eventually, God wins.

    Often it is human frailties and weaknesses, or the contrast to them, that truly “make” God’s shine. It may be through our weakness that God draws people to him. That does not, of course, mean that we can continue on our merry way without conforming to God’s will (at least as Christians). It just means that sometimes God isn’t waiting for us to reach a certain point in our transformation before God acts.

    ※Reflection※

    • Have you ever had an experience of the “If not then no one”? What was that like? If not, what situations can you think of where that might happen?
    • We often focus on Daniel in this particular story. Why are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah important, too? What is their role? Can you think of people in your that are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who surround a Daniel?
    • How does it feel to know that God will work through you, even if you are not “there” yet? What is the freeing part of that? What is the responsibility part of that?

    ※Prayer※

    Almighty Father, who gave your only to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always you in purity of life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy , one God, now and for ever. Amen. [Easter Friday Collect, Book of Common 2019]

  • The New Communal

    The New Communal

    Psalm 133; Daniel 1:1–21; Acts 2:42–47

    Most of us have at least one food dislike. I read this story of Daniel and I’m not sure how I would do with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Only vegetables? Eventually, I suppose, I would get accustomed to it, but…just ew. Vegetables.

    At this point in my family, there is tension over vegetables. One member has gone vegetarian (mercifully, not vegan). You can imagine the dinner difficulties between that person and myself. Finding ways to eat together becomes challenging. Eating together is one of the big features of communal living.

    Even in monasteries and convents, meals are more communal than and time (usually). There is just something about it that breaks barriers. Greatly dysfunctional and unloving families can actually get along while food is being consumed.

    It’s not hard to imagine that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah ate in the of the other “competitors”, but were viewed as strange due to their lack of meat and wine consumption. That probably solidified both their relationships with one another. It also likely reinforced their “Jewishness”. Communal activities are significant in forming mutual . It is no coincidence that the grew despite opposition. Communal identity was formed through worship and daily meetings.

    This is one of the biggest issues facing the US at this point…a lack of formative communal activities. The formative piece is important. We are all part of various communal activities. It could be walking the neighborhood and greeting neighbors. It could be sitting in the same season ticket seats for a sporting event (Go, Tips! Go, Kraken!). It could be leading or participating in fundraisers. There are so many options!

    The of choice also means that people may have a singular common interest, but not any others. When you have a communal activity with one group during a set time (like a hockey game), that doesn’t mean you will have communal time with those people at other points. In fact, you both may have other competing communal activities.

    The time of COVID has had some dramatic effect upon this. People have become more isolated than before. Children who used to play together were often prevented from doing so. People have been consuming all sorts of content to fill the “gaps”. Most of this consumption was alone…sort of.

    What it takes to build a communal identity hasn’t really changed, but the modes have. People are building real relationships through the internet (not Facebook “friends”, Twitter “followers”, or YouTube “subscribers”). They are forming identities on and through the internet (extremist and conspiracy theory groups are prime examples).

    It is hard to grasp how people will form communities without the frameworks that we are familiar with (in-person church, sporting events, potlucks, etc.). The question isn’t whether, it is how.

    ※Reflection※

    • What communal relationships and identities can you think of for yourself?
    • How were these relationships and identities formed?
    • Do you feel as connected to these relationships and identities as you have before? What has changed? What has remained the same?

    ※Prayer※

    Almighty God, you show those in error the light of your truth so that they may turn to the path of righteousness: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the , one God, now and for ever. Amen. [Easter Thursday Collect, Book of Common Prayer 2019]