Short Devotion: Running Ahead - Mark 6:33

 

Mark 6:33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. (NIV)

 I wonder, if we knew where Jesus was going to be one day, somewhere in Knoxville, would we leave everything we were doing and run ahead to the place to greet Him? Would we look forward to seeing Him in-person to listen to His stories, perhaps watch a miracle or two, and wonder at His deep understanding about life, the universe, and everything?

 I hope that one day, we will all get that opportunity to be with Jesus in-person. For most of us, if not all of us, it will take place in the Heavenly realms beyond this life. However, every week we get the opportunity to meet with Jesus in-spirit when we intentionally gather to worship Him, to hear His teachings, and to pray to Him. We call that gathering place ‘church’ and it occurs on Sunday mornings to commemorate and celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week after the Sabbath – which is now called ‘Sunday’ by us.

 In the past, some African-American preachers used to get excited about worshiping Christ in church.  At the end of a heavy, burdensome, and troubled week, they would remind their parishioners that “Sunday’s Coming!” to let them know that no matter what they were going through or had even recently endured, the hope of Christ would once again be resurrected in their hearts to lift them beyond their despair and prepare them for a time when everyone would be embraced, accepted, and loved by God through Christ.

 So, Sunday’s Coming and Christ’s Spirit will be among us at church – are you ready to run ahead and joyfully meet Him there?

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, we want to welcome and greet You into our lives, so we look forward to being with You in-person and in-Spirit. In your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

 John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Check out our website at www.erinpres.org.

 

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called ‘John1’ which is based on the Gospel text.

If you would like to view a larger image, please click this link: John1.

 

Where We Belong - Romans 2:11

Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism. (NIV)

We all feel the need to belong to God; some folks may not know it yet; others may feel as though they’ve lost it; others may still be hoping that God has not forgotten them, even though they have willfully forsaken Him. Whatever the case, we all have this Edenic need to belong to God – it’s in our genes and wired to our DNA, so why fight against it?

To be part of a group gives us an identity, encouragement, and confidence. To experience belonging erases our isolation, insecurity, and vulnerability. And with God, who shows no favoritism, it means that we are never alone in this world or universe or dimension. God is willing to include us in His existence; God is always seeking to fill that gap or emptiness in our hearts and lives with His love. We belong to God because He longs to love us no matter who we are, where we go, or what we’ve done. God shows no favorites – we are all loved equally in His eyes.

Perhaps you’ve been away from church for a while and have lost your spiritual connection. Maybe you’ve been thinking about going back to a congregation but feel nervous about walking through those sanctuary doors again and seeing those good folks you actually miss. Know this: they miss you, too, and to them, as well as to God, you have always belonged there. God shows no favorites, not even to those who have worshipped faithfully for years.

In the midst of very tragic and painful times, our loneliness and confusion can be very hard to bear. We will never work out why bad things happen to innocent people or why society seems so brutal and brazen. But rather than remain bewildered and isolated, we can quietly come back to God, to be embraced with His love, and to be comforted by His words. Returning to church may seem like a very big step, but once we are there, we’ll soon discover that God has been waiting for us all along. Why? Because we all belong to God – there are no favorites – thank God!

Point to ponder

Have I been feeling isolated and alone recently? Do I need a place to belong? Am I willing to let God lead me back to church?

Prayer: Lord God, You created this beautiful world and decided to share it with human beings. We are made in Your image and contain part of Your Spirit in us. Help us to reconnect with You and be restored to Your holy love. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome and we will be delighted to see you. 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s early Communion drawings. If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Communion.