Weekly Devotions

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16

I’ve been a churchgoer all my life. As soon as I could hold my head up, my parents deposited me in the nursery and took a seat in the sanctuary. Once I started growing and rejoicing, I learned about baby Moses in Sunday school, sang about the “Little Drummer Boy” in Christmas pageants, and had my heart strangely warmed at youth group retreats.

None of those experiences could have prepared me at age 66 for the phenomena of “nones.” Shockingly, three-in-10 adult Americans today identify as religious “nones,” described as atheists, agnostics, or “nothing in particular” when it comes to religion. The Pew Research Center projects that by 2070, nones will make up half the U.S. population.

How can that be? Where else can you – all in one setting, usually in about one hour – be surrounded by people who care about you, hear an inspiring message, and immerse yourself in soul-stirring music?

Granted, a global pandemic took a toll on public gatherings and singing en masse. But this non-churchgoing trend began long before COVID-!9 came on the scene. Secular society has diminished the importance of Sabbath rest and religious activity. Church is no longer a priority in the U.S.

What a shame! I remember the childhood hand activity: Here’s the church, here’s the steeple; open the door and look at all the people. The church is not a building, it’s the folks who show up.

I recall seeing a church member who had recently lost her husband kneeling at the altar rail after taking Communion. Another member of the congregation who was kneeling beside her subtly moved closer and put an arm around the widow.

There couldn’t be a more poignant demonstration of the power of churchgoing. It’s about showing love – toward Christ, toward each other, and toward the community.

As we learn in Hebrews, meeting together and encouraging one another – churchgoing – is how we “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

I, for one, will continue the habit of hearing the message of Christ and singing to God with gratitude. NONE of that would be possible without church.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV

Feeling the weight of disasters, upheaval, rubble, fire, loss?

And I’m not talking about the headline news of the last few weeks.

This is about

• the single mom taking her last child to college knowing the ache of family dysfunction that goes with her freshman’s packed bags
• the ministry wife who struggles with mental health realities and feels no hope
• the veteran teacher who hears repeated advice from parents as to how classroom management doesn’t fit their child’s expectations
• the senior adult who has no family to visit and whose nourishment of body and mind is diminished
• the couple who sees only exits in their stormy marriage
• the neighbor whose words and attitudes spit out distaste for others
• the co-worker who shakily arrives with hints of morning breath that isn’t coffee
• the results of the biopsy, the scan, the invasive species in your body.

How do we stand up when the waves of trouble, hurt, disbelief, anger and sadness keep knocking our feet out from under us?

Remember and repeat out loud who Jesus is and who we are:

My Rock, my Shield around me, the lifter of my head.  Psalm 3:3

The Shepherd who carries the brokenhearted with compassion and makes me lie down. Psalm 23 and 34

The Redeeming Savior who was wounded for my mess so I could be healed. Isaiah 53:5

The Hope I can count on to grow in me when I trust Him for what I cannot see. Romans 15:13

Maybe the cry is for yourself today. Or maybe you need to cry for somebody. Put on repeat today who our God is and what He can do in our broken, overwhelming world. Jesus is more than enough. Jesus is near.

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” Psalm 103:8, NKJV

My daughter and I piled into the car we scheduled for the day trip while in California. Our driver, a middle-aged woman was friendly and outgoing. She had a bubbly personality, and within the first twenty minutes of our time together, we learned she loves acting and the theater, loves her dog, is from an Italian heritage, and her husband had been killed. As per my usual modes operandi, somewhere along the way of conversation, I shared that I am a Christian, gently “testing the waters” of her faith. Without hesitation or apology, this dear unabashed woman exclaimed, “I don’t believe in God!” While this is not the first time someone has told me they do not believe in God, I am still surprised whenever I hear someone say it. So, I immediately prayed silently, that God would open a door to her heart for His love to enter.

When my daughter exited the car for her scheduled meeting, I remained seated inside with our driver. She had much to say about many things, including politics, gay friends, how many relationships she had experienced before getting married. At one point, as she was telling me a story about something of which she strongly believed, she enthusiastically blurted out, “I swear to God!” I caught her facial expression of surprise at her own comment in the rearview mirror and we both laughed, as she said, “And I don’t even believe in God!”

Oh Lord…I’m sorry I laughed, because the consequence, if true is anything but funny. This precious woman needs You, even though she says she doesn’t believe You exist. Only You know the true condition of her heart. Meet her where she is in the pain of whatever has caused her declaration of unbelief. Open a pathway for her to experience in a tangible way Your mercy and grace before it is too late. Not only this woman, Lord, but for all who have a hard time believing. In Jesus name, Amen. 

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4, NKJV (emphasis mine.)

“It’s complicated!” came the answer to my inquiry on the status of an important pending issue affecting a dear friend. Court hearings, depositions, and constant anxiety have driven the lives of numerous people, because “It’s complicated.” Catch phrases like this one make their way into every culture and generation. “It’s complicated” is a short phrase that means there is no clear answer.

As I considered my friend’s situation, another phrase kept popping into my brain; “that it may go well with you.” Since the word “that” started my thinking, I knew there must be a precept or principle leading into the conclusion, “that it may go well with you.” So, I went straight to my Bible app and entered the enticing haunting phrase. The Book of Ephesians cleared up the mystery. (Please see scripture passage above.) While there is much to be unpacked in these few short verses, the instruction is not complicated at all. Perhaps being obedient to God’s command is challenging in the light of the human rebellious spirit, but He is clear about the road to success and well-being. Notice the scripture explains, that it “is the first commandment with [a] promise…” The first four commandments of ten have to do with our relationship to God, our heavenly Father; to “honor your father and mother” is number five.

If you and I would agree with God on the first four commandments, the last six would follow as a natural, orderly, joyful consequence. Alas, God knew all too well our sinful nature, which is why I think He included the “promise that it may be well with you…” to encourage our obedience. When parents refuse to instruct their children, or when world governments claim mothers and fathers have no authority over their children, the solution to a successful outcome is straight-forward. Check out God’s Word. It’s not complicated!

(For further study: read Exodus 20:1-17)

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:28b-30

Consider the hibiscus.

I do precisely that, every day, from May until October. That’s the time period I am exposed to an explosion of bright blossoms from my beloved plants. Our garden has both the annual and perennial varieties of this shrub that thrives in tropical climates.

No, I don’t live in Hawaii or Malaysia – both of which feature the hibiscus as the official flower; just suburban Virginia. And it is HOT in the summer, so my hibiscus plants experience ideal growing conditions from early summer until the first frost.

I was originally introduced to these uniquely beautiful flowers by my late mother, who nurtured and appreciated hibiscus plants at our home in South Carolina. She even entered some of her prized platter-sized blossoms in the county fair.

Though they germinate in sunny conditions all over the world and come in countless colors and varieties, most hibiscus share one trait: the flowers last for only one day.

It is with bittersweet poignancy that I carry on the family tradition of growing and enjoying hibiscus. Like the blossoms, my vibrant mom died after too short a time. With many plans and much life ahead of her, she succumbed to colon cancer in her 50s.

Both the hibiscus flower and my mom symbolize beauty, success, glory, hospitality, and femininity.

Unlike the only-one-day-to-live hibiscus blossom, none of us knows how long we will be on this earth. I, for one, would like to take some cues from the short-lived flower (and my mom): Bloom where you are planted. Keep the faith. Be bright. Be beautiful. Never give up. Bring joy to others.

Consider the hibiscus, how it blooms. Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God has created the hibiscus blossom which today is, and tomorrow is thrown in the refuse pile, will He not much more do for you? To Him be the glory!

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

I planned to walk 2,023 miles in 2023.

For three months, I kept pace by walking at least five and a half miles a day. By the end of March, I had accrued 513.4 miles. I was well on my way.

But God had other plans.

My doctor, who had been evaluating my persistent balance issues and relentless headaches, ordered an MRI of my brain. The next morning, I went on a 5.5-mile walk. When I arrived home, my doctor called. She told me I had a 4.7-centimeter mass in my head, and I needed to get to an ER immediately.

While in my local emergency room, a very kind on-call neurosurgeon explained that what I had was likely a meningioma. Its size was alarming (thus, the directive to head right away to a medical facility); but I learned there was a 99.9 percent chance the mass was benign and the cause was unknown. I was told to schedule surgery as soon as possible.

Before knowing what was wrong, I had continued walking – sometimes haltingly. Once I was aware of what was wrong, daily walks were no longer on my agenda. Not only was I physically unable to keep up that kind of exercise, but my days were filled with neuro consults, lab work, and additional tests.

My walking goal and plans for the immediate future were derailed; God’s purpose for my life prevailed. On May 17, I underwent a craniotomy, and the meningioma was successfully removed.

Yes – it was terrifying to have my skull cut open and stapled back together. And, the physical therapy I have undergone post-surgery has been grueling. But throughout it all, I have been walking with God; He has been with me every step of the way.

My mileage goal is no longer important; what I’m striving for now is fulfillment of God’s purpose. With the Lord as my constant companion, I have been at peace throughout this whole experience.

The meningioma may have messed up my mileage, but I have gained something far greater: A renewed focus on God’s prevailing presence in my life.

As I know from Jeremiah 29:11, God has His own goal for me – and it’s way more significant than 2,023 miles. He has plans to chart a path for me — no matter the length — toward a bright and hopeful future, one with eternal dividends.