It’s not easy to begin again. You know the progress you had made and here you are, trying again from the beginning. You are back at the starting line when you were so far already into the race. It can be frustrating, even a bit disheartening. It can also be a chance to regroup and become stronger. But there isn’t anything easy about it.
I find myself in that place now. Once again, I am starting over. This is not the first time. And I can only guess it won’t be my last. But I press on anyway. Why? Because I love it. I can’t explain it. I don’t understand it. All I know is that it is a part of who I am. So here I go, one more time.
I am a runner. It took me a long time to take that in and be able to write it. As someone that never got off the couch to do any exercise or sports as a kid, to define myself as a runner seemed ridiculous. Did I run? Sure I did. I didn’t run fast. I didn’t run well, at least not in my mind. I wasn’t a runner as a young person. I started later in life. I wouldn’t ever be all that good at it. So I discounted what I could do. But ultimately I am a runner. And I love it. It is just who I am.
Right now, I am a runner recovering from an injury. No, I don’t know what happened. No, I don’t know what I did wrong. But it happened. And it stopped me. So it has been over a month since I have really run. It is time to try again. In order to try again, I have to start over. That’s right – I have to begin as if I have never run before.
Today, I begin with walking and maybe a little jogging. It will be mostly walking, though. For someone that could run distance just a month or so ago, to walk is defeating. I only think about what I should be able to do. I tend to beat myself up for what I cannot do. But on my walk this morning, I realized a few things. I realized in my walk, I was able to really notice the moon and the stars. They were so bright and vivid – swept across the vast expanse of the sky. I could really embrace all that was before me. What a gift to be able to notice God’s beautiful creation. I also noticed that the short time that I did jog, I had a sense of gratefulness. I was grateful I could get out and exercise. I was grateful to breathe and enjoy what was before me. I was grateful for the few steps I could take. This sense of gratefulness carries me further than the miles ever could.
I see the joy in starting over. I understand there are experiences to trying again. It gives me the motivation to just get up and keep trying. What do you need to start over? What is it that you are putting off that could help you? What steps can you take to achieve your goal? There is great joy and gratefulness in the journey. May you take the first step today.
Focus Scripture:
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
We live in times of great division. There is real palpable stress and it seems the smallest difference sets off sparks that create fireworks of heated disagreement. Election time is always challenging. It appears to be a pitting of one group verses another. If you are in one camp, you can’t talk to the other. This year, it seems that the animosity has grown even thicker – causing constant unrest. It is evident everywhere you turn. There are differing opinions on most everything you can imagine and voices rain down louder than a symphony of broken instruments all being played in disarray. It is confusing and hurtful and punishing. Unfortunately, the church is not immune to this either.
The church is to be a beloved community made up of different people with different backgrounds and different affiliations. There are unique gifts and talents brought to the table. There are strong personalities and quiet hard workers. There are people of different ethnicities, different upbringings, and different ways of viewing the world. Actually, if the church is optimal, it is made up of people that are completely unique who express their authenticity in a community which comes together in a way different than the world. We do not need to vote the same way. We do not need to have the same color skin. We do not have to agree on much of anything. If we are all alike and all have the same opinions, we haven’t done a really good job of being the church. All we have done is sought out people like us and excluded anyone that didn’t fit that description. Jesus had a whole lot to say about that – and none of it was good.
In a world so ravaged by division, how does the church respond? How do we come together when we are so different? What is it that unites us? What are we doing and why are we doing it in the first place?
The answer is, well, complicated – except it isn’t. What is always the right answer when an answer is asked in a Christian church? The first response is Jesus. And yep, that is the right answer today, too. So good job if that was your answer. Seems easy enough, right? Jesus is the common factor, the great equalizer, the ultimate Savior for this whole mess. But with Jesus as the answer – it complicates things.
Jesus was quite the controversial person. He stirred up more than his fair share of trouble. To really read his words and follow his teachings calls us to be someone different. It calls us to come together in unique and challenging ways. To follow Jesus means we seek his will and way, leaving ours behind. For Jesus to be the answer means we can worship together, no matter our backgrounds, because it is all about him and not at all about us. Our political opinions, our views of the hot topics, our decisions in everyday life can all be different and we can still come together as God’s children – adopted into the family because of the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ.
We didn’t become a child of God because of the way we talked, walked, or thought. It wasn’t because we were born into the right family or we were made powerful by the world or because we hold some position in life. We didn’t become a child of God because of who our mama or daddy is, because of our origin or ethnicity, because we were born in the right country or because we deserved it. Quite the opposite is true. None of those are factors God considered. He created you because he loved you. Jesus died for us because he knew we were a big messed up bunch that basically gets most everything wrong. God understood that we wouldn’t get it without the saving love and grace only he could give. And since we couldn’t be good enough, nothing we do qualified us. You are a child of God because Jesus was willing to stretch out his arms in an expression of the ultimate love – and welcome you in.
If that really is the case – if it really is because of the love and sacrifice of Jesus – if it really is when we follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior – if it really is about the call and welcome of Jesus and not the qualifications of anything we put in place…then we have a starting point for a community of the beloved. That starting point is Jesus and not us. Our purpose, our goal, our focus, and our whole reason for being has to be Jesus. That means we leave our egos checked at the door – and if we are honest, that’s not easy.
This morning, I want to look at a scripture that packs a powerful punch – and often is taken as a wake-up call for the church and for Christians to reorient back to the mission and vision of Jesus. I want you to hear this, but I also want to focus on one particular teaching. This could be something we miss and also could be the key for coming together, even and especially in times like these.
Matthew 25:34-40
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
I do want to offer that this scripture is the positive note in this teaching. There is an equally negative note about what happens when you do not do these things. I chose this because this should be where we are aiming. You can decide of the opposite is where we already are. We often hear that we are to feed, clothe, visit, and provide water. Those are tangible teachings we hear and understand. Sometimes we even try to do them. But what we may miss is something in the middle of all of this, and may be more challenging. It says, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” You welcomed me. You…welcomed…me. That seems to be one of the main challenges of the church. That seems to be one of the most difficult parts of this whole thing. We can hold a feeding ministry, we can have a clothing closet, we can have or support a prison ministry, and we can help people have access to water. These are all things we set up ministries to accomplish. We seek to do them as God’s children. And they are good and needed and more valuable than we can imagine. But is not the whole deal. You welcomed me. Now that is a little more challenging.
We can give someone food without developing a relationship. We can give away coats without actually talking to others. We can set up all kinds of barriers between us and those in need so that we are doing what we need to do but don’t have to get closely involved. Those people can stay those people and we can stay comfortable as us. We can form a group of people like us which doesn’t overly challenge us. But to welcome – that’s a different story.
To welcome is to see something in someone that is useful and valuable. We see a person, a child of God, someone worthy of love. We are required to see past the exterior. To welcome means you look past all of the things you would normally judge. You don’t worry about appearance or background, you don’t think about their political affiliation or opinions, you don’t care about the native language or where they were born. To welcome means that nothing matters except to show the love of Christ. In Matthew 25 – it does not give qualifications to be welcomed. It doesn’t list things to accomplish before being welcomed. It isn’t based on anything. Humanity is welcomed. And the point is that we welcome without judgment because we never know when we have welcomed Jesus into our community.
But, let’s be honest, that really is the kicker, isn’t it? It makes us uncomfortable to have people we don’t agree with. It causes us to evaluate how we do things if there are people from different backgrounds or ethnicities. It challenges us to change because we grow stagnant in the way we do things and changing is just hard. But Jesus never said it was to be easy – he said it was the mission.
You welcomed me. Those words ring so powerfully to me in the times we find ourselves. Who will you welcome? How will you welcome? What will you do to show welcome – to the least of these? Christ…may you be welcome here.
Can we ever become too practical? Could it be we become so driven by accomplishments and outcomes that we forget the joy of the process? Is it possible to forget so many lessons are learned on the journey? If we are only thinking about the goal and getting it right, are we missing the point?
I love to be creative. I enjoy writing and drawing, cooking and recreating. It sparks something inside of me. It allows me to explore a different part of myself. In my work life, it is about numbers and processes. I am fairly good at these things. I appreciate knowing that something went well or that a process helped to get to the end goal. I don’t mind reviewing numbers to make sure everything matches up. But it doesn’t allow for a considerable amount of creativity. I only get the opportunity to become creative on a few small areas of an overall project. So I find I lose the initiative to create. I seem to let that part of me fall to the side in an effort to accomplish.
I think that when we do this, we lose a part of ourselves. We lose the joyful, playful, fun part of life. When we allow ourselves to create, we experience something deep inside which brings back the child in us. We don’t have to get it right. It doesn’t need to be pretty or perfect. It is simply about creating, no matter the outcome. It could be drawing a funny picture or cooking and decorating a cake. It could be building an end table or planting a new flower garden. Creativity opens up a world within us which shows us possibilities are endless and fun. We are often able to let go of the stress and anxiety of it all just to create. And, if we are having fun, even if the end result is not our best, it just doesn’t matter.
God gives us a creative side. He instills in us the joy of shaping, molding, trying and laughing. He shows us through his own creation how important it is to continue to explore. If we are, indeed, made in his image, we are also given this need to create. This may be the key to letting go just a little. It may be the key to relaxing. It might even cause us to smile a little more.
What can you create today to bring a smile? How can you have fun today without having to worry about the outcome? What joy is waiting for you that is currently undiscovered?
Focus Scripture:
Job 8:21
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
There is no telling how many dreams and visions go unfulfilled because we humans have decided it is too late. We feel like we are past our prime. We have obligations that prevent us from pursuing our dreams. We are too old or too far gone or too tired or too… well, you get the point. We feel like it is too late to do what we have always envisioned. We want to BUT…and the excuses pour faster than water down the falls. What really keep us from pursuing our goals is us.
We could easily spend our lives surviving, and that is it. Just getting up in the morning to face the day and getting it done is the only goal. With a few joys here and there, we decide that is all life is about. Yet, we miss the point. We miss that God has created us for so much more. God has given us dreams and visions, talents and gifts to live abundantly. We are the only thing standing in our way. We are the missing piece of the puzzle. We are the limiting factor.
I can’t help but think about Moses. He had settled down in his life. He had run, hidden, and found a new normal. But God had created him for more. He was to be the leader of a great exodus. All he saw was a hillside but God saw beyond. He wasn’t a young man when he began this part of his life. It wasn’t easy or smooth. But it was his goal, his mission.
I also think of Abraham and Sarah. They had given up on their dream. They had worked around the dream for as much as they possibly could. They had tried to figure it out for themselves. They settled for where they were. But God had something more. They were the only things holding them back. God was working in and through them.
The focus scripture today is the calling of Samuel, heard through a dream. God was and still is at work. I wonder about all of the dreams and visions that go unfulfilled because we have decided it is too late. Instead of limiting ourselves, maybe we instead begin to dream again. Maybe we seek God and all he has for us. I don’t think God is done with us yet. And I think there are some pretty powerful dreams waiting to come to life. Dream on, children of God. It is not too late.
Focus Scripture:
1 Samuel 3:9-10
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
Wendy and I enjoy watching cooking and baking shows. We actually learn a lot more than we expected. For instance, vegetables have different names depending on where you are from. There are really cool techniques I have never seen used before. Certain ingredients complement each other that I would not have thought. Tradition plays such a huge part in how one cooks. These have all been great lessons for me. It helps me consider how limited my knowledge really is.
My most recent favorite has been the British Home Cook Competition. This is our second British cooking show we have watched in the last few months. I have noticed a couple of things about these two shows, in particular. The first is that everyone in the competition has been so cordial. Sure, they are in a competition and want to win. But they encourage and motivate each other. It is not cutthroat. It is not manipulative. They just do their best and encourage each other to do the same. When someone loses, they all rally around. It has been so refreshing to watch. The second thing I have noticed is that there is no prize money. Apparently it is customary to not win money or gifts for these types of competitions. One did win a golden apple – and that is it. In the other show, the winner received nothing. They just got the recognition of having won. It was all about the experience. They were in it simply to enjoy the experience and have fun. The winnings did not matter.
Now, that is a concept we don’t hear very often. It seems we are always out for something. All too often, people will manipulate and take anyone down just to win. But not in these competitions. It is just about the experience.
I wonder if this doesn’t give us a glimpse into the Christian life. It isn’t about the competition. It isn’t about who is the best singer or preacher or cook or servant. What if it is simply about the experience of following Christ? What if it isn’t about a tally of who was the best or who was the most faithful but rather simply helping each other along in the journey? What if it really is about supporting one another and doing our best to lift each other up? What if the journey is about the everyday experiences of love, kindness, peace and joy? What if it really is about following Christ with our whole heart and helping others do the same? It just might change the world. Or at least, it may change us.
Focus Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:11a
11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
The time the sun is up is getting shorter. We are feeling the cooler weather in the mornings. The trees will begin to change. It is the transition of seasons. I find it a little more difficult to get up and going in the mornings when it is dark for so long after I get up. It feels like the beginning of the day is delayed. But there is an advantage I had forgotten over the summer.
Early in the morning, at just the right time, the light of the moon shows the way. We don’t often think about how much light the moon does give. We associate it with dark and nighttime. But if we leave the creature comforts of our yard lights, the moon takes on a new vibrance. It seems to go unnoticed for most of us because we have the house lights on. The first thing we often do when we get up is turn on a light. When we go outside and it is dark, we turn on a light. We don’t give the moon a chance to shine so brightly.
We really notice the beauty of the moonlight when we allow our eyes to adjust. When we are outside without manmade light, there is a brilliance. No manufactured light should be on, just us and the moon. The moon can be so bright that it casts your reflection. It can light up the entire area around you. Your eyes begin to see by the light of the moon in all its glory. But we never notice this if we simply live by the lights we have created. When we block what God has given us with things we have made, we miss the creation.
It doesn’t just happen with lights. We have made things for our comfort so much that we forget or ignore God’s creation waiting to be seen, experienced, and enjoyed. We don’t notice the fresh air because we have manufactured air. We don’t walk through the woods because we have roads. We don’t walk in the dark because we always have light. Our mindset is to ignore the creation for convenience. And oh the things we miss.
Today, maybe we turn off the light and just look. Maybe we leave our home to hear the birds sing. Maybe we sit outside with no electronics to experience the goodness. It may seem odd for a while, even boring. But there are so many joys waiting to be discovered if we just stay with it. God has created the beauty. Don’t miss it…don’t let it go unnoticed.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 74:16-17
16 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. 17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 
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