The easiest difficult thing you will ever do

Mark 10:1-11:33

As I read scripture I like to imagine I’m a part of the written events – I’m really there.  A deeper understanding seems to develop as I feel a closeness to the people involved and things that are happening.  Try it.  Put yourself in the crowd watching for the Messiah to approach Jerusalem on that long ago Palm Sunday.  What are you and the people around you expecting?  A richly dressed king preparing for war?  A bigger-than-life example of mankind riding on a chariot drawn by powerful horses?  That was the main thought of many in the crowd, but that’s not what happened.  Jesus came into Jerusalem at the start of the week in which he would be crucified riding on a colt in his typical gentle and peaceful way.  He came as a part of God’s plan, not the plan hoped for by the mob.  We, as they, should always try to follow God’s plan.

Even though the crowd had some realization of Jesus as the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, they didn’t realize what path He would lead them on.  Actually, many people today still don’t understand or endeavor to follow that path. If we had been there we would have joined in the chorus of “Save!” and “Hosanna in the Highest!”

Not many days later, when Jesus was on trial, that same crowd cried out, “Crucify him!”  Think about it.  Would you have asked for his life or rushed to his side?  It is easier to choose God’s plan if we look to His two main directives:  love God and love each other.  As the days of our lives pass we find it somewhat easier to follow our plan instead of God’s.  But the eternal reward comes with being a part of God’s plan.

That last week of Jesus’ life teaches us many things; but, to me, one of the most important is that we give focused attention to God’s plan:  to live and pray with God’s interests.  God’s laws are wrapped in the language of love and that love should shape and design the fabric of our being.  It’s as easy and difficult as that!

“Hosanna!”  “The Son of God leads us to life eternal!”

Written by Billie Ann Haynes

There is no "They"

Jonah 4

I have an embarrassing confession.  I remember a time as a member of this church when I honestly thought there was a “they”.  I’m not sure exactly who I thought they were, but I knew they were out there, and I knew there was stuff they needed to be doing. Once, when we were having a meal in the PAC, (and I was a new, sleep–deprived mother, that is my excuse!) I actually thought, “Why don’t they have highchairs down here!? We have babies, why didn’t they think about that!”  I was immediately embarrassed to realize the absurdity of my line of thinking and went to get a highchair myself! 

But it was the beginning of an awakening around my assumptions about the life of Central UMC.  Had I assumed that because our congregation is large there had to be a they out there somewhere?  Was the they our paid staff, (all five of them for 250+ people?!?) Were they those that had more time, talents, knowledge, seniority?

  

Traditionally one might consider passages on the body of Christ and importance of using our spiritual gifts here, all good stuff.  But the passage brought to my mind is the fourth chapter of Jonah. (If you’ve never read the whole book, go past the whale- the last chapter is the best!) It is a rich chapter full of too much wisdom to dissect here, but God’s question to Jonah pierces right to the heart of our human tendencies, “Is it right for you to be angry about this _____,  though you did not tend it or make it grow?”

As I get more involved in the life of our church, I am amazed at how many  are tending and helping us grow.  From worship, to education, to service, too many to list, there are so many dedicated servants working behind the scenes to help our church live.  I’m not suggesting we sign up for every committee or project that comes along.  But the next time you find yourself wondering “Why don’t they…”  consider that there is no they here at Central UMC,  but there is a church family- there is Us!

Written by Jessica Talbert

Forget me not

Job 1:20-22

Redemption is a recurring theme in the Bible, but in order to receive it humankind must also be willing, I think, to humble themselves and recognize the sovereignty of God.  The remarkable thing is that Job, recognizing that he could not resist the sovereign God, did not merely maintain his spiritual composure but even found, in adversity, occasion for praise.   Perhaps in measuring the greatness of his losses, Job took stock of the abundance which had all the while been entrusted to his stewardship.  Instead, this hour of his desolation was a moment of truth for him.  Stripped naked of the things of this world, Job was unusually sensible of God’s confronting presence.   

Often I have read the book of Job and wondered why he had to suffer so much loss to prove his steadfastness to his beliefs.  God chose a special person in Job and there are probably many others throughout history that could have withstood such hardship and still believed and praised an unfailing Lord.  Perhaps we don’t know until we are put to the test with some catastrophic event or just living with an infirmity or handicap forever, with no hope of improvement.

As a nurse, I have seen much human suffering and indeed all of us will eventually face life’s stumbling blocks, whether physical or emotional, that test our faith and ability to overcome.  What I believe will sustain us is the ability to not let pride prevent us from recognizing our dependence on God and the example he gave us in Christ Jesus.  A simple little story of Adam and Eve in the garden when they were fleeing gives me hope.  They stepped on a little clump of tiny flowers – the forget me nots- and the flowers spoke to them not in words, but in wisdom; forget me not!  I believe that God is constantly reminding us in all kind of ways (if we look for them) that He is still there for us if we reach out to Him.  My patients often remind me that he helped them endure their sufferings and comforted them in their weakness.  Like Job, all we can really do is prepare our hearts to receive Him and offer him praise and worship in all that we do.

Written by Anne Wray

Press Pause

Psalm 121:1-8

I began a book earlier this new year titled Seven Sacred Pauses – Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day by Macrina Wiederkehr. Honestly, I don’t know when I’ll finish it because the book is intended as a long-term journey toward more mindful living.

The idea of pausing seven times each day for mediation and prayer isn’t a new one. Monastics have done this for centuries, but I am finding as a 21^st century Christian that making time for seven pauses throughout my day is extremely difficult, if not next to impossible. Even so, the pauses I do make have begun to loosen the knot of stressors I carry around in myself each day. In this new-found space, I am able to more clearly see the blessings that have been abundantly placed around me, and  see people and places in need of care.

I compiled the following “pause” from the Blessing Hour (which comes at mid-morning) portion of the book. As you read the verses from Psalm 121, I invite you to consider that you may be the person who has the opportunity to share the promises found here with someone else.

Opening

O Spirit of the Circling Hours work through me that I may be your love poured out.

Psalm 121:1-8

Closing Prayer

O Spirit Come…

Come with your transforming power. Breathe upon and into my thoughts and actions this day. Let my work be a labor of love. May those who come in contact with me feel sheltered and cared for. May I do or say some small piece of goodness that will help others feel affirmed and supported. Let your wind and fire move me into the places where I am needed. Let me become your breath so that I may assist you in breathing new life into places that are stale and unfruitful. Make me forceful and gentle, powerful and humble. O Spirit, Come!

Written by Danny Buckner

Talk about tough positions!

Exodus 5:1-6:1

Going into his meeting with Pharaoh, Moses had immense popular support from the Israelites.  The Israelites knew that Moses was following God’s command, which only happened to coincide with theirs.   Moses knew that Pharaoh would deny his request for the Israelites to attend a three-day festival.  Sure enough, Pharaoh mocked Moses and in retaliation for the request, increased the slave’s work requirement.  Once the requisite beatings began, Moses popularity plummeted with his people.   Moses complains to God that he doesn’t understand why his people are suffering.  God responds that he will show Pharaoh that he is the mightiest of all. 

This pattern of the rise and fall of faithfulness to God’s law begins a pattern that we are to see time and time again in the Bible, until finally the cycle is ended through Jesus’ death.  It is so easy for us to see the pattern of faithfulness and betrayal in hindsight: the poor Israelites are toiling without hope.  Moses, their surprising leader, while following God’s command, has apparently made their desperate lives intolerable.  The Israelites’ faith falters.  They were unable to maintain their faithful allegiance to God as their physical conditions deteriorated.  God promises Moses that he will show his mighty hand. 

Our challenge today is to follow God’s commands without question.  Let’s break through that cycle that still may continue in our own lives.  We may not have God’s specific requirements written in stone or uttered from a burning bush, but God’s word remains.  We must take strength from our ancestors’ trials to give us strength for the future.  Just as the Israelites did not know the future, our faith must prevail.

PRAYER:

God of our ancestors, give us strength to carry our your work.  Let us compensate for the lack of straw and other perceived necessities in our life by having stronger backs to carry us forward.  In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Written by Page Morgan

We have nothing to fear...but fear itself

Psalms 121:1-8

Fear is a normal and vital response to physical and emotional danger; if we didn’t feel it, we couldn’t protect ourselves from legitimate threats. But often times, we fear situations that are far from life-or-death situations yet we hold on to our fear for no good reason.

As a young child I have memories of waking up in the middle of the night fearing the darkness and quietness of my room. On occasion I would call out to my mom or dad hoping they would come to console me. As was always the case, they did. The comfort of hearing my mother or father’s gentle voice assuring me that all was well soothed my fears and allowed me to go back to sleep. I believe this is how I first experienced God’s love.

But the point in my life when I began to understand the power of this truth was during my college years. At the end of each semester there would be projects to complete, papers to write, and exams to take. The anxiety and downright fear of not getting my work done could be overwhelming. At some point a friend said to me, “try prayer, it helps!” So I learned that if I found myself getting panicked and anxiety ridden, I would say a quick prayer asking for the strength just to get the work done. And amazingly it worked!

I have always enjoyed reading passages from the book of Psalms because many of the verses read as poetry or as lyrics to a song. The passage for today’s devotion is no exception and is even referred to as one of the “Song of Ascents”. These psalms were sung starting in a low tone of voice; steadily ascending to a higher one. Apparently there are varying interpretations of the origins of the meaning of this title but the author’s words are unmistakable and vividly express the strength and reassurance we find in God’s eternal love as protector from our fears.

Written by Stan Anthony

Remain joyful in hope, patient in His plan, and faithful in your prayer

Romans 12:12

All of us know, it isn’t a new notion, that so many of us who know God, draw nearer to him in times of trouble or times of grief. It is also not anything new that people who don’t know God, many times call out to him in times of trouble or grief even though they have never dedicated or built a relationship with Him.

Personally, any time I am, or my family is, going through a time of turmoil it is certainly then that I feel closer to my Holy Father. All of a sudden I need Him more than ever and when there is little else to do and nowhere else to turn. He is the one and only person, I know I can depend on for comfort.

Even the love of my husband, my three children, my family, and my wonderful friends cannot come close to the love that God has for me in my proudest and weakest moments. I love knowing His love will never fail me. It will never fail me even in times when I have asked for prayers to be answered and it feels like no one, including Him, is listening. Even then, in those times, I have hope in His love and know that if I will just be still and listen I will see my prayers being answered in the plan He has for my life and those around me. This hope in His Love and faithfulness in knowing that He is listening is what can comfort all of us during all of the days of our lives. Whatever this season of Lent is bringing your way, let this time be a reminder to remain joyful in hope, patient in His plan, and faithful that your prayers are always heard and being answered.

PRAYER:

Dear God, Thank you for your guidance and protection as we face the good and the bad in our lives and continue to put our trust and hope in you. Thank you for your unfailing love every single day and continue to walk with each of us daily to show us your way. Amen.

Written by Margo Greene