January 2011 Devotionals

January 31st:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste… it’s good for nothing and is thrown out to be trampled under foot.” Matthew 5:13

Stepping outside onto the sidewalk in front of our home, I realized that the brownish slush of last night had changed its character overnight.  Now it was slick, slippery: beautiful but dangerous.
Fortunately, there’s salt.  I walked gingerly back inside and grabbed a bag to spread on the icy surface.  Now it can be trampled underfoot.  And any passersby will be safe from harm.
There are days I’m not sure how salty I am.  There are days I’m not sure I’m adding a lot of flavor to my world.  There are days I feel like I don’t have a lot left to give.
But even if I’m feeling only fit to be ‘thrown out and trampled under foot’, I can still be looking out for my sisters and brothers, doing what I can to keep other people safe from harm.  And that is no small thing.
Blessings,
K

January 27th:

“I know what you’re up to, you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were one or the other.” Revelation 3:15

OK, it’s official.  January 2011 is now the snowiest ever.
I know this storm will set some of you back a bit, but I figure if it’s going to snow, it might as well snow.  And my kids agree with me.  They, along with a million other NYC schoolchildren are not very sad at the awesome news that the city schools are actually closed today.
It’s the same thing with faith.  I think that if we’re in this Christian thing, we might as well be passionate about it.  And God agrees with me.
I love the rather graphic passage in Revelation that’s addressed to the comfortably ’lukewarm” church in Laodicea: “Therefore, because you are neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.”
Stay warm today!  But never lukewarm.
Blessings,
K

January 26th:

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things…”  Psalm 119:18

Earlier today I found myself stuck, hanging feet-first out a window, suspended too far off the ground to just let myself go.  I was reluctant to climb back inside, and too embarrassed to call for help.
After a moment of feeling almost paralyzed, I thought of a third alternative.  I opened my eyes and woke up.
It’s not always so easy to get out of tight situations.  And sometimes we wake up to a situation that’s tougher than the one we’re dreaming about.
But there are plenty of times we find ourselves stuck in a problem that might not look the same if we were to open our eyes and take a look in the cold, clear light of day.
“Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free…”
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart!
Blessings,
K

January 11th:

“How good it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in harmony.”  Psalm 133:1

This morning, I sat silently for a while in the dark, gray sanctuary, waiting for God.  I was sitting towards the back, in those seats most of you love so dearly.  I rarely sit back there, but now I see why you are so fond of them.
I noticed two things.  First, I could see the banner over the chancel.  I’m usually too close to see it.  Second, in the not-yet morning light, it looked only like a large gray square.Still, the words were with me (it’s so vital to carry a few verses of scripture around in your head!):

“How good it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in harmony.”
Good words.  Biblical words.  How many times this week have I thought of that sentence, wishing it could be reflective of our national discourse?
The translation we used for that banner when we made it two decades ago was chosen carefully.  The ending of Psalm 133:1 could be rendered “unity.”  But unity is hard, and a mixed blessing.  We don’t need to agree with each other to be agreeable.  But can’t we all pray that the discord of the past few years could yield to some kind of respectful harmony?
You can’t harmonize if everyone is singing the same notes.  But you also can’t harmonize without listening very carefully to what other people are singing.
Blessings,
K

January 10:

“Be dressed and ready for action, and keep your lamps lit.” Luke 12:35

In the swirl of despair over Saturday’s shootings in Tucson, a few bright spots emerge from the story of what happened.

An aide who quickly rushes to Gabrielle Giffords’ aid, keeping her from bleeding to death, while others, sensibly, are running for cover. Two men who seize the moment, and the shooter, as he is reloading. A woman who quickly grabs the gun magazine off the ground. And dozens who call 911, urging a speedy response.

There are other bright spots as well, including a sheriff who urges calm and restraint in our political conversation, along with more sensible gun laws. Elected officials who, for the moment, tone down the nasty rhetoric that surely leads to incidents like this one.

Jesus tells us to be ready, always, to respond. To respond to violence, non-violently. To respond to hate, compassionately. To respond to cynicism with love, hope and understanding.

We are not all standing within reach of Rep. Giffords on a Saturday morning. But we are wherever we are. And no one else is always where you are but you. And God.

May God give each of us the courage, love and insight to respond well.

Blessings,
K

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