Steadfast Love

Ruth 1:16 “Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”

Some of us know couples who have been married for over 60 or even over 70 years. They are an amazing example of commitment and love. When couples were asked what the secret to their long-lasting relationship was, they said things like communication, respect, patience, forgiveness, and living a long time! We call that kind of love, steadfast.

The Hebrew word ‘hesed describes steadfast love that is kind, faithful, reliable, and long-lasting. It is the kind of love God has for us and we have for God. In the Bible, we learn about ‘hesed’ love from the story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. When life became challenging for them, they chose to continue to support, and care for each other. Ruth, in particular, committed to being there for Naomi in a powerful example of loyalty, kindness, and steadfast love.

Take Heart

Mark 10:50 “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.”

In the most difficult situations in life, we all need encouragement and hope. When things seem too hard for us to handle on our own, the phrase ‘Take Heart’ represents the support and help offered by others. Maybe it’s a family member or a friend or even a stranger who can encourage us and give us hope when we are having a tough time. Maybe it’s that surprise act of kindness or mercy that gives us the strength to keep going or start again.

In the Bible, a man seeking healing from Jesus cried out for mercy. He was desperate, crying out louder and louder. Finally, Jesus learned of his presence and the crowd told the man to “take heart, get up, he is calling you.”  The man ran to Jesus and was healed. Even more than that, the man answered the invitation to follow Jesus and to be part of God’s kingdom in the world. Take heart, be encouraged, have hope. It is all those things that enable us to ‘get up’ and be part of the new life God call us to.

At Your Service

Mark 10:45 “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Have you ever agreed to do something without really knowing how much work or how involved it was going to be? The first disciples of Jesus were a bit like that. They left everything to follow Jesus not really knowing or understanding how their lives would change and what was expected of them. As they travelled with Jesus, hearing him preach, seeing him perform miracles, and helping him share good news, they realized following Jesus was more than they thought it would it be. They realized that following Jesus meant serving others, not serving themselves.

During the pandemic, it became apparent how important the service industry is and how often we have taken it for granted. Something as simple as getting groceries became dependent on those who went to work while others stayed safe at home. It was not only necessary, but life-saving for some people to serve others by going above and beyond what they ever expected. As we slowly move into a post-pandemic world, let us appreciate all those who continue to serve us and others.

No Worries

Matthew 6: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

“Don’t worry about a thing, ‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.” This line from the catchy song by Bob Marley is one of encouragement and hope. As we celebrate our second Thanksgiving during the pandemic, it has been hard at times to believe that everything will be alright again. And yet, even when we worry about the future, we can continue to give thanks for unexpected joys, small mercies, and acts of kindness that we’ve known over the last two years.

In the Bible, Jesus encouraged people to leave their worries behind and trust that God would know and provide them with what they really needed. Imagine if our worry was transformed into hope, trust, and gratitude so we could live each day in the fullness of life promised by Jesus. Imagine if our last thought every night was one of thanksgiving for the day that had passed and a firm belief that in the end, “every little thing gonna be all right.”

A World of Bread

John 6: 33 “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

Pita, Naan, Roti, Focaccia, and Chapati are all flatbreads from different places in the world. For centuries, bread has been a staple food for many people from a variety of cultures. It is no wonder that in the Bible, Jesus used the image of bread to help people understand his true identity as God’s Son. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” He went on to say that the bread he offered would fill and satisfy people more than any kind of bread one could eat.

Being filled with the bread of life means we fill our lives with Jesus. From Jesus we receive the nourishment and energy to live in the peace, hope, and grace that connects us with God and connects us with one another. On World Communion Sunday each year, churches across the globe gather (safely) around the Lord’s Table to remember and give thanks that Jesus is the bread of life who continues to fill and satisfy our hunger. Thanks be to God.

Returning Home: A New Beginning

The Reflection: A New Hope

The Encounter: Redefining Strangers as Friends

Quest: Travel as a Spiritual Act

“Leaving Home”

Good morning,

With Rev. Tobey away for the next couple weeks we will be joining Living Faith in Baxter. Rev. Jonathan will start a 4 week sermon series this called “A Time Such as This.”