Words for Our Day

I went to sleep troubled last night and I woke up the same way. Despite my practice of gratitude, I made the mistake of ending my evening in my facebook feed instead of in my thankfulness. What I saw was troubling. I was troubled by the reminder of all the violence that is happening around the world to human beings, people created in the image of God. And then I was troubled by some responses of people who follow the same Jesus I attempt to follow. My brothers and sisters, are we responding out of our trust of God or our fear?

I needed God to speak to me today and I found myself in John 14.

Jesus says:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. (John 14:1-4)

Lord, help me to trust you when the mirage of my own security seems to be crumbling around me. Help me to trust you, when instead of receiving this life as a gift, I cling to it in idolatry. Help me to trust you when the world around me tells me you are untrustworthy. By your spirit, help my heart not to be troubled.

Jesus says:

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:12-14)

Lord, you were able to love those who desired your death. Help me to do the same. You were able to speak words of peace and hope. Help me to do the same. You were able to point people to your Father. Help me to do the same.

Jesus says:

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. these words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (John 14:23-24)

Lord, too often my love of you is lip service. May my love for your be demonstrated in my prayers for my enemies. May my love for you happen in the recognition that murder begins in my thoughts. That kindness to those who seek to hurt me is the new way of the Kingdom of God. That prayer matters and my deepest desire should be for your Kingdom come. Help me to obey when everything in me rebells against that.

Jesus says:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Thank you for your words today, O God. May I receive the peace that you have to give. Amen.