This week: God as unfolding story. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]God as unfolding story makes us step back from all of our attempts to turn our God
into a stone image - an idol - that can crumble under time and under the power of
new revelations and conversation. God as unfolding story means that we are involved
- as God's beloved people - in the way the story continues to move through this
day. We are not a people who are meant to simply read of a past time and place.
If that were so, there would not be such a dynamic bunch of stories as are told
in the book of Acts. God as unfolding story is the moving of the Holy Spirit that
takes us beyond ourselves and all that we thought we could or should control. God
as unfolding story means that we must remember the stories of old, connect with
the stories of the not-so-distant life of the faithful, and take the risk to step
into God's gracious Reign even as it keeps moving along the way and bidding us to
come and see.
O God of love and new life, keep us soundly grounded in the story of your love so
that we will be free to engage the present with confidence and grace. Amen.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for April 29, 2013
This week: God as unfolding story. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]There is always more to the story. In the long record of the story of God who leads
a people to new life, there is always more to hear and see. God as unfolding story
invites us to look again at what has been written and told. Just as we are always
learning new things about the character of the people all around us, as we look
at the stories of our God and enter into conversation about those stories we will
see parts of the character of our God that will unfold among us. I see this most
often when God is described as angry - violent - unbending. I have been seeing
quite a different God. As of late, the unfolding story of our God is one in which
I am continually amazed by a merciful, forgiving, life-giving, and challenging God.
God as unfolding story pinches me in the butt so that I will get off my butt and
once again lean into the story of God's gracious love - the power for new life
in every age. Reading that story is also a act of radical involvement. It is radical
because we are being invited into the very essence of this God whose love knows
no end and is able to overcome all the powers of the world.
O God of love and new life, keep us rooted in this story of your unending love as
we move through the day at hand. Amen.
a people to new life, there is always more to hear and see. God as unfolding story
invites us to look again at what has been written and told. Just as we are always
learning new things about the character of the people all around us, as we look
at the stories of our God and enter into conversation about those stories we will
see parts of the character of our God that will unfold among us. I see this most
often when God is described as angry - violent - unbending. I have been seeing
quite a different God. As of late, the unfolding story of our God is one in which
I am continually amazed by a merciful, forgiving, life-giving, and challenging God.
God as unfolding story pinches me in the butt so that I will get off my butt and
once again lean into the story of God's gracious love - the power for new life
in every age. Reading that story is also a act of radical involvement. It is radical
because we are being invited into the very essence of this God whose love knows
no end and is able to overcome all the powers of the world.
O God of love and new life, keep us rooted in this story of your unending love as
we move through the day at hand. Amen.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for April 26, 2013
God as servant. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]God as servant gives us a future. What are we going to do next? Well, we can always
be ready to serve others. That is a whole life full of opportunities. I was just
wondering how many times in the next ten to fifteen minutes will I be in a position
to serve. At the same time, I may be placed in all of those positions and never
allow myself the time to serve. I may just keep going on my way - the way I would
like the day to go - the way that will keep me focused on me and how the world spins
around me. God as servant also invites us to step into the creative task of looking
after the well-being of those around me and those who are far off and yet still
connected. The way we begin to serve is to open our eyes and ears. That may help
us begin the journey of opening up our hearts which becomes a life-turning event.
When our hearts turn and are open to the lives of others, we witness a world longing
for acts of compassion, self-sacrifice, justice, solidarity with the lonely and
left out. God as servant stirs up our hearts and places us right back down into
our ordinary day in order to be a living witness to hearts filled with this love
of God that is already ready to embrace and serve.
O God of love and new life, make this day the beginning of a season of turning so
that we exercise the freedom to move in new ways and stretch ourselves out to engage
the world with your servant love. Amen.
be ready to serve others. That is a whole life full of opportunities. I was just
wondering how many times in the next ten to fifteen minutes will I be in a position
to serve. At the same time, I may be placed in all of those positions and never
allow myself the time to serve. I may just keep going on my way - the way I would
like the day to go - the way that will keep me focused on me and how the world spins
around me. God as servant also invites us to step into the creative task of looking
after the well-being of those around me and those who are far off and yet still
connected. The way we begin to serve is to open our eyes and ears. That may help
us begin the journey of opening up our hearts which becomes a life-turning event.
When our hearts turn and are open to the lives of others, we witness a world longing
for acts of compassion, self-sacrifice, justice, solidarity with the lonely and
left out. God as servant stirs up our hearts and places us right back down into
our ordinary day in order to be a living witness to hearts filled with this love
of God that is already ready to embrace and serve.
O God of love and new life, make this day the beginning of a season of turning so
that we exercise the freedom to move in new ways and stretch ourselves out to engage
the world with your servant love. Amen.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for April 25, 2013
God as servant. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]God as servant gives us a future. What are we going to do next? Well, we can always
be ready to serve others. That is a whole life full of opportunities. I was just
wondering how many times in the next ten to fifteen minutes will I be in a position
to serve. At the same time, I may be placed in all of those positions and never
allow myself the time to serve. I may just keep going on my way - the way I would
like the day to go - the way that will keep me focused on me and how the world spins
around me. God as servant also invites us to step into the creative task of looking
after the well-being of those around me and those who are far off and yet still
connected. The way we begin to serve is to open our eyes and ears. That may help
us begin the journey of opening up our hearts which becomes a life-turning event.
When our hearts turn and are open to the lives of others, we witness a world longing
for acts of compassion, self-sacrifice, justice, solidarity with the lonely and
left out. God as servant stirs up our hearts and places us right back down into
our ordinary day in order to be a living witness to hearts filled with this love
of God that is already ready to embrace and serve.
O God of love and new life, make this day the beginning of a season of turning so
that we exercise the freedom to move in new ways and stretch ourselves out to engage
the world with your servant love. Amen.
be ready to serve others. That is a whole life full of opportunities. I was just
wondering how many times in the next ten to fifteen minutes will I be in a position
to serve. At the same time, I may be placed in all of those positions and never
allow myself the time to serve. I may just keep going on my way - the way I would
like the day to go - the way that will keep me focused on me and how the world spins
around me. God as servant also invites us to step into the creative task of looking
after the well-being of those around me and those who are far off and yet still
connected. The way we begin to serve is to open our eyes and ears. That may help
us begin the journey of opening up our hearts which becomes a life-turning event.
When our hearts turn and are open to the lives of others, we witness a world longing
for acts of compassion, self-sacrifice, justice, solidarity with the lonely and
left out. God as servant stirs up our hearts and places us right back down into
our ordinary day in order to be a living witness to hearts filled with this love
of God that is already ready to embrace and serve.
O God of love and new life, make this day the beginning of a season of turning so
that we exercise the freedom to move in new ways and stretch ourselves out to engage
the world with your servant love. Amen.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for April 24, 2013
God as servant. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]God as servant allows me to step back and look again at what I am about to do -
how am about to act - what I am about to say. The one who serves as this God as
servant takes a breath before any action. Within that breath is the life of the
servant. In that breath is a moment of stillness - a moment that allows judgment
to rest - a moment that bridges the divide between myself and the one(s) I am invited
to serve. God as servant is that wind that blows and fills up our lives with opportunities
we so often move through without seeing them with the eyes of the servant. God as
servant brings the love of God down to practical terms right before us.
O God of love and new life, be for us the 'in between' time in which your Spirit
offers us a hand to guide us into your future. Amen.
how am about to act - what I am about to say. The one who serves as this God as
servant takes a breath before any action. Within that breath is the life of the
servant. In that breath is a moment of stillness - a moment that allows judgment
to rest - a moment that bridges the divide between myself and the one(s) I am invited
to serve. God as servant is that wind that blows and fills up our lives with opportunities
we so often move through without seeing them with the eyes of the servant. God as
servant brings the love of God down to practical terms right before us.
O God of love and new life, be for us the 'in between' time in which your Spirit
offers us a hand to guide us into your future. Amen.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for April 23, 2013
God as servant. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]God as servant suffers. When we serve others, we may be perceived as worth-less
than others. Servants can be dismissed. Servants are expendable. Servants are often
seen as weaker than the one served. God as servant acts out of a position of power
- the power of love. The servant fears no other - therefore, the servant is able
to subject him/herself to work that will seek the welfare of the other. That, is
a position of power. I serve - not because I am less - not because I want to be
raised up higher. The servant is able to see how service to others builds up the
whole community. When we serve, my neighbor and my enemy and my family is able
to become one people - one love. God as servant suffers because few people want
to be one people. We too often long for an us and a them that will allow us to think
we are better than the others and therefore not one who serves - but one who is
served because we deserve such attention. The servant suffers because a world that
divides and separates will resist - even unto death - those who serve to heal and
make well and honor even ones not like me.
O God of love and new life, it is not easy to serve. It is frightening. It is a
life in which we must trust that the promises of your Reign will come. In the face
of the violence of our world, inspire us to bow down and serve up a new reality.
Amen.
than others. Servants can be dismissed. Servants are expendable. Servants are often
seen as weaker than the one served. God as servant acts out of a position of power
- the power of love. The servant fears no other - therefore, the servant is able
to subject him/herself to work that will seek the welfare of the other. That, is
a position of power. I serve - not because I am less - not because I want to be
raised up higher. The servant is able to see how service to others builds up the
whole community. When we serve, my neighbor and my enemy and my family is able
to become one people - one love. God as servant suffers because few people want
to be one people. We too often long for an us and a them that will allow us to think
we are better than the others and therefore not one who serves - but one who is
served because we deserve such attention. The servant suffers because a world that
divides and separates will resist - even unto death - those who serve to heal and
make well and honor even ones not like me.
O God of love and new life, it is not easy to serve. It is frightening. It is a
life in which we must trust that the promises of your Reign will come. In the face
of the violence of our world, inspire us to bow down and serve up a new reality.
Amen.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for April 22, 2013
God as servant. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]To serve is to break the endless cycle of 'better than thou' that resists the life
of God's peaceable Reign. When we are continually moving into the life of one who
serves others, we must pause and begin to see and hear that which the other person
needs or wants or desires. It is at that point that we are given the opportunity
to build a relationship not focused on competition. God as servant is the God that
bows and bends and then walks alongside of us inviting us to move in new ways and
see new possibilities in life. God as servant calls us to take a breath - to breathe
and let go of that which we must have or must be. Rather than attempt to rule over
others or find ways for people to bow and bend to us, we take a breath of the wind
of creation that gives us time to imagine how all-that-is-different is able to be
seen as a mix of gifts that can be used for the well-being of all. God as servant
invites us to step back, re-view what it at hand, and then begin to contemplate
how we will be used to create life unimaginable had we been self-consumed.
O God of love and new life, help us to see what comes to life as we give ourselves
away in service to others. Guide us so we do not become anxious and forget about
the wonder of a life that honors the 'other' so that we find serving to be a natural
expression of our whole lives. Amen.
of God's peaceable Reign. When we are continually moving into the life of one who
serves others, we must pause and begin to see and hear that which the other person
needs or wants or desires. It is at that point that we are given the opportunity
to build a relationship not focused on competition. God as servant is the God that
bows and bends and then walks alongside of us inviting us to move in new ways and
see new possibilities in life. God as servant calls us to take a breath - to breathe
and let go of that which we must have or must be. Rather than attempt to rule over
others or find ways for people to bow and bend to us, we take a breath of the wind
of creation that gives us time to imagine how all-that-is-different is able to be
seen as a mix of gifts that can be used for the well-being of all. God as servant
invites us to step back, re-view what it at hand, and then begin to contemplate
how we will be used to create life unimaginable had we been self-consumed.
O God of love and new life, help us to see what comes to life as we give ourselves
away in service to others. Guide us so we do not become anxious and forget about
the wonder of a life that honors the 'other' so that we find serving to be a natural
expression of our whole lives. Amen.
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