The Reign of God as a light being turned on. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as a light being turned on opens our lives to more life. Beyond what we are able to see, this Reigning light shines out to expose that which may be our future - if we choose to go there. No longer are we limited by the fears that prevent us from living. No longer are we limited by the grand vision for life that we hold for ourselves. The Reign of God as a light being turned on helps us see that our imagination is not merely fantasy - it is becoming real - present - at hand. At times it is frightening to have a pathway open up to us - to see a way into a new existence. And yet, God keeps turning on the lights and drawing us into life that seems to always be the life of others. Here and now, lights are being turned on and we are being invited to play in a future we could not see previously. The Reign of God as a light being turned on is also the presence of truthfulness. That is not always easy to take - it can wound - it can change everything - it can make us have to wrestle with ourselves without resolution but always with new ways to see life. O God of love and new life, though we are often afraid of the dark it is also true that we are anxious about how light will change all things. And yet, you come as one bearing light for life eternal. Amen. |
 | | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions |
| | | | | The Reign of God as a light being turned on. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as a light being turned on so that we are able to see everything. We see the God whose love eternally abides with us. We see any other power that attempts to be the power that will rule us. We see the possibility to dance without fear of judgment and condemnation. We see opportunities to realize the life Go sees in us and nurtures by calling us Beloved. The Reign of God as a light being turned on is the power to change the next moment and those that follow. I find it interesting that when a light goes on, everything is exposed - or maybe we scramble to hide that which fear will be seen by others. But in this Reign, that which is exposed by the light is part of the movement within God's Reign. Yes, now we see who we are a bit more clearly, but we also see the life that God places in front of us. This is a life not dependent or run down or pulled down but what was of our own creating. For now and for always, we can see God's image shining around us and in us. O God of love and new life, as we are often caught up in what has already taken place, we are slow to move into your loving Reign. So pull us again by your Spirit - into the brilliance of your presence. Amen. |
 | | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions |
| | | | | The Reign of God as reconciling. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as reconciling is the power in the moment that brings about a world that was not anticipated. It breaks in and moves us to a place we probably did not anticipate. The Reign of God as reconciling brings in the first tastes of peace - a taste that makes us long for more. It is there that we discover that reconciliation call for more reconciliation - it becomes a life - a Reigning life. O God of love and new life, let you life Reign. Amen. |
 | | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions |
| | | | | The Reign of God as reconciling. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as reconciling is active - alive - available - always open to a new way to go about the day. There will be differences all around us. That is life. Those differences can be the death of us - leading us away from one another or leading us toward one another ready for battle. The Reign of God as reconciling moves us toward one another so that our separation will end. It is also leading toward one another so that we will open to giving up our lives for the sake of the other if it is needed. That is a revolutionary move. The Reign of God as reconciling is not out to secure itself at the cost of any other person. Rather, we walk toward one another as ones open and vulnerable to change - even when the change may look as though it will kill us. Usually that which is killed is all the stuff onto which we think we must hold or we will fall apart. And yet, in the act of reconciliation nothing falls apart - it is dismantled to make room for something new to come to life. O God of love and new life, open our hearts to the expansive newness of life that is eternally presenting itself to us even when we feel as though we are at the end of all life. Amen. |
 | | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions |
| | | | | The Reign of God as reconciling. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as reconciling can be exactly what we do no want for our lives at this time and in this situation. And yet, it does not stop the constant call for reconciliation that is eternally making itself known even when we make decisions to move in the direction of division. The Reign of God as reconciling is the finger pressing into our back - nudging us - prodding us. Reconciliation cannot be forced. It would then not be reconciliation. I would be nothing more than grudge work that does not lead to new life. Reconciling work takes a good bit of breathing that allows for time to pass, new perceptions, clear evaluation, and release. Too often, we don't give the time for reconciliation it is easier to go to war or settle for the appearance of peace. O God of love and new life, work within our lives and bring us closer to the thrill of reconciliation. Amen. |
 | | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions |
| | | | | The Reign of God as reconciling. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as reconciling is how hope unfolds. That which is not yet - the fullness of God's Reign let say - is a part of the hopefulness into which we are invited. As we are a people who enter into to the work of reconciliation, the present changes and the vision of what could be becomes that which is already coming our way. Ah - hope abounds. And yet, hope is not complete. There will be unending opportunities in which we will be summoned to be reconciled with others. The Reign of God as reconciling means the Reign of God is coming into being - it is unfolding - it is coming alive - it is taking on what is and entertaining that which is not yet. Wow, that has the making of a whole future of life that is not yet. I find that to be amazing. It is also frightening because reconciliation calls for repentance and dialogue - both of which are not always easy. O God of love and new life, unfold the wonders of your Reign among us. Amen. |
 | | | | Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions |
| | | | | The Reign of God as reconciling. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as reconciling gives us the work of new life. It is not another thing on a list of things we must do. Rather it is the energy of life needed for the life we are entering even now. This energy will be spent on making relationships whole - bridging the great divides between us - changing the patterns of the way things have been into something that brings new life to all sides of our divisions. The Reign of God as reconciling reminds us that this Reign is made up of people in relationship. Whenever we attempt to be in relationship, there will be the need to iron out differences or at least see them and begin to wonder how our lives can come together peaceably even as we differ. That is not an easy journey. Reconciling work moves a community ahead into new life because all that separates us must be faced and dealt with honestly and for the benefit of all. O God of love and new life, lead us into life in which we continue to be draw toward one another and toward the vision of your Reign. Amen. |
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