Soon to complete my seventh year of full-time ministry, serving in the Department of Christian Formation, I am still amazed that God chose me for this role. Without fully understanding what I was to do, I responded in obedience to his call after twenty-three years of secular employment in a major medical institution in Chicago. Born and raised in Chicago, I am the proud mother of three wonderful adult children plus a special son and daughter-in-law, all residing in Chicago as well, and five beautiful (and busy) grandchildren. I've been a member of Community Covenant Church in Calumet Park for twenty-three years. This week's focus is on obedient living. Our obedience to God must translate into our actions toward others--how we relate to and serve others in response to God's love for us.

Sunday, October 19 (Nineteenth after Pentecost) Psalm 124

Fortifying the Ranks

If it had not been for the Lord who was on our side..." (v. 1). While reading today's text, I found myself reflecting back to one of my favorite childhood games, "Red Rover, Red Rover." Two opposing sides, each striving to be the strongest and most impenetrable, each would form a chain and try and capture the biggest, strongest, toughest person in order to to fortify their ranks. Invariably however, a weak spot could be found and broken through.

With God on my side, I realize the only weak spot is me. I can easily shy away from some aspect of service to the kingdom out of my own fears, weaknesses, or doubts. "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (v. 8). This week, as I reflect on the Scriptures in light of a focus on obedient living, I am reminded that the God who calls me to be a faithful servant and witness for the kingdom will provide me with all that I need to bring glory to his name.

Lord, help me to have no fear of the opposing side, but to trust you to fortify my many weak spots, that I might boldly serve you. Amen.

Two Are Better Than One

Every year on my birthday, I look forward to playing in my yard--planting flowers, pulling weeds--all those yard-related tasks. By the end of the day, my body also realizes what an arduous activity gardening can be, especially for one person. Can you imagine what it must have been like to care for the whole Garden of Eden?

God gave Adam a pretty big assignment--to work and care for the garden, including having dominion over all of the creatures. Quite a hefty task for one single guy! "It's not good for the Man to be alone," says God. "I'll make him a helper, a companion" (v. 18, The Message). In this perfect place, something was still missing. "Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam" (v. 22, NLT). From Adam's side, God created a woman to provide both aid and community. So fear not--the Lord does not call us to his service without providing for our every need.

Praise you, Lord God, for providing sufficient help to carry out your kingdom assignments. Amen.

Tuesday, October 21--Numbers 11:4-6, 10-18

Enough Is Enough

Any parent can relate to the whining and complaining that all too often come from their children when what they have just isn't enough. There's always something bigger, better, and faster.

For the Israelites in today's passage, "bread from heaven" wasn't sufficient. They wanted something bigger and better--they wanted meat to eat! As a spiritual parent, Moses bore the burden of caring for these people. Unable to provide, he registered his complaint to the Lord.

As parents, most of us could probably admit that we eventually give into our children's requests, as we are able. And while we cannot give them all they ask for, we give them what they need. How much more does a loving God give us everything we need? As Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:11, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Lord God, remind me that all I have is all I need to effectively do your will. Amen.

Wednesday, October 22--Esther 3:5-6; 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

Trust and Obey

The Holy Spirit successfully sustained African Americans throughout centuries of horrific bondage, partly by instilling songs of deliverance within slaves to encourage them. God used these songs to convince his chosen people of the existence of a holy plan that would rescue them from their seemingly inescapable quandary. Surely, lyrics such as "Swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home..." provided the strength to help them continue to wave a banner of hope.

Similarly, faithful Jews such as Mordecai, Queen Esther's uncle, exalted the Lord by refusing to worship human beings--but instead trust in God-- even in the face of what appeared to be insurmountable odds. Through Mordecai's and Queen Esther's faith and obedience, the Jewish nation was spared, and the evil Haman was caught in his own cruel trap. As the Freedom Singers of the Civil Rights-era sang, "I ain't gonna let nobody turn me around."

Father, in the face of opposition, may we boldly live into your plan for our lives, completely trusting in your faithfulness and sovereignty. Amen.

Thursday, October 23--1 Peter 4:7-11

Open the Gift

While cleaning a closet awhile ago, I came across a gift that had never been opened. The gift had been put aside and completely forgotten. Who had given it to me, and for what purpose? When I opened it, I found a beautiful gift that was no longer useful! In addition to my embarrassment and shame, I recognized how this must have grieved the giver.

"Every member of the body of Christ has been given some spiritual gift that is an evidence of the Spirit's working in his life" (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV study notes). Eugene Peterson's The Message paraphrases this passage this way: "each person is given something to do that shows who God is."

Are you giving witness to the Spirit's work in your life, evident through serving others? Or are your gifts still wrapped? Open them now and experience the joy of serving! "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms" (v. 10, TNIV).

Holy Spirit, your love and grace gives undeserved gifts. May I be an extension of that love and grace as I seek to serve others. Amen.

Friday, October 24--Philippians 3:12-17

Pressing Towards the Goal

Every day for the past twenty-seven years, I drive past the same cemetery at least twice a day. Only recently did I happen to notice the synchronized position of hundreds of trees. It appeared that they all suddenly decided to dramatically reach toward the east--the direction of the rising sun. It was very clear that they knew the source of their strength and leaned into that power provided by the source.

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me....Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal..." (vv. 12-14, NIV). What is this goal that Paul is straining towards? To be all that Christ saved him for and wants him to be. That definitely requires a radical leaning into the transforming work of the Spirit! How far are you reaching?

"Holy Spirit, fit me for my holy calling; Make me harmless as a dove; In the likeness of the Master, Let me serve, with heart of love." Amen. ("Holy Spirit, Come!" from Conversations with God)

Saturday, October 25--James 5:10-20

Complete Healing

In 1988, I fearfully watched as my mother was wheeled into surgery for removal of a cancerous mass from one of her ovaries. Eight years before this, a benign mass had been removed. This first surgery gave her hope for complete healing as she courageously headed into this second one. The results of this one however were not as encouraging, as the disease had already invaded other organs.

Today's passage, however, took on new life for her as she witnessed the church's fervent response in praying for her healing. "And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well"

(v. 15, NLT). To the amazement of many, she didn't wait for the evidence of healing, but accepted the healing in the form that it came in, which was the ability to go on with her work in the body of Christ until that work was completed spiritually. In the face of adversity, her response to the prayers of faith bore evidence of the awesome power of the Holy Spirit to enable and equip us to continue to do his kingdom work to completion.

God, your amazing love gives me strength to do all that you want me to do. Help us to persevere until your will is complete in our lives. Amen.