Theme: Communal Call & Change
Scripture:
Isaiah 58:6 The Message Version
“This is the kind
of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the
workplace, free
the oppressed, cancel
debts.”
Devotional:
“The world doesn’t revolve around you,
Dawnn!” I remember the first time I heard that shouted at me during conflict. I
was stunned. Even though I knew the accuracy of the statement, it hurt. It was
a painful reminder that it isn’t all about me. I don’t live life on an island.
I exist in community. Listen, life is hard. Full stop. *And I believe that our
healing, the change that we are seeking, will come in community. I am a firm
believer in this idea that ‘the love you give is the love you will receive,’
‘the energy you sow into the atmosphere is the energy you will receive in
return,’ and ‘you will reap what you sow!’ Regardless of how pithy these
sentiments are, a truth resonates in them, too. Of course, there is sin and
evil that exists in our world, which, for some, translates to zero control over
what happens to us. And perhaps there is some truth in that, too. What I mean
here, however, is that we have a responsibility to give out what we expect
(hope for?) in return. It’s as simple as that, I think. A Change *Is Gonna Come
*AND we have a responsibility to wait, pray, act, and receive until it does.
During this Lenten season, let’s pray for change, exist in community together,
and love each other deeply and wholly until a change comes.
Prayer:
God, give us
strength to believe that a change is gonna come. Yes, even despite what we can
see and regardless of what we think we know, a change is gonna come. Grant us
peace in the waiting. Keep our minds focused on the work You have given for
this season. There is work to be done – in our families; our communities; our
churches; and in ourselves! Give us clarity about how to move forward in the
work. Help us to not lag, run ahead or be distracted by what is on the right or
the left. Guide our feet, our hands, and our hearts. Selah.
Reflection Question:
What
work has God given you to do – in this season – to strengthen your heart, mind,
and spirit before the change comes?
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