Marcia sat in the pastors office.

She had just been elected

president of the congregation.
I dont know what I was thinking, Pastor, she said.
I cant do this job. Im not qualified. I dont even know
how to run a meeting. How can I lead this congregation?
But you said yes, when you were asked to run, the
pastor suggested.
I know I did. And I dont know what possessed me to
say that.
I do! the pastor said. Gods Spirit possessed you.
You are the right person at the right time to do the job.
Me? But how can you be so sure?
Because you were chosen. Thats what makes lead-
ers in the church, what they all have in common. They
are chosen.
Gods leaders have always been chosen. Gods choosing is
constant in the Bible. In every case, those God sought out
to do great things were unready, unqualified, and almost
always reluctant. In every case, God was able to do mar-
velous, miraculous things through these chosen ones.
Look at Moses, the disciples, and Paul. They all became
leaders. They did nothing less than change the world for
generationscenturies. Those leaders had something
else in commonsomething Marcia shares with them.
None of them sought the job they were given. Moses was
hiding in the wilderness when God found him and called
him. The simple Galilean disciples were living quiet
lives as fishermen. And Paul was in the midst of an active
persecution of the followers of Jesus when he was con-
fronted, chosen, and called to open salvation to all.
Reluctant though they were, each responded to Gods call
and each became a perfect tool for Gods saving action in
the world.
Whatever task God has set before you in the church or in
Gods world, whatever you feel called to do, God can do
great things through you. Not because you are qualified or
especially trained. Not because you sought the job or seek
anything for yourself. But because the Spirit of God has
possessed you, called you, helped you say yes, and will
use you to do what God has in mind for you.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16)
JANUARY Gods Leaders are Chosen
Read Exodus 3, Mark 1:1620, and Acts 9:19. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, help us to move into the future you have set for
us with the confidence that comes from knowing that
we are your chosen ones. Set us on fire with the Spirit
so that we can climb out of tired ruts, set out on new
paths, and move boldly in witness and service. In the
name of the one who chose us. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
What does it mean to you to know that you are chosen
by God?
FEBRUARY Gods Leaders are Consecrated
The ceremony doesnt seem all that important. The pastor
asks if we are willing to do the task to which the congre-
gation has elected us. We respond: Yes, with the help of
God. It seems like just another passing promise until we
see how that promise fits into what God has always been
doing with Gods leaders.
Isaiah may not have been remarkable in any other way
than thishis mouth was touched by the angel of God
and his words from that time forward were dedicated,
consecrated to God. Mary seemed an ordinary young
woman from an ordinary village in Galilee until she was
set apart, consecrated as the mother of the Savior. And so
throughout the biblical story, again and again, ordinary
people are marked, called, and set apart for unique and
remarkable service.
Jesus himself was consecrated. He stood on the mountain
of transfiguration, shrouded in the glory of God, and the
voice of God named him my beloved. He was set apart
for the task he had already determined to do.
Sometimes the work we are called to do in a congregation
may seem rather ordinary. We may be faced with dozens
of day-to-day jobs that need to be done. Just like the cer-
emony that puts the tasks in our hands, the whole thing
can seem rather unimportant.
But God does not see it that way. No matter how unre-
markable the job, Gods chosen ones are always marked
and set apart for the task. They are touched, called,
named, visited with the very presence of the Spirit of God
as they set about to do what they have been called to do.
The ceremony there in church may seem less than impres-
sive. The task ahead may seem a great deal less than
remarkable. But we can be assured of this: God has set us
apart for the task. It is Gods Spirit that inspires and inhab-
its our doing. It is Gods will that drives us ahead. And it is
Gods purpose that is accomplished.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) We are
Gods chosen ones, set apart and consecrated for
the tasks we have promised to do.
Read Isaiah 6:18, Luke 1:2638 and Mark 9:28. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, help us to know that we are the set apart ones,
the ones who have been consecrated for the service
you want us to do. Set us on fire with the Spirit so that
we can accomplish great things, even in the seeming-
ly common tasks you have called us to do. In the name
of the one who was set apart for us. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
You are consecrated, set apart, dedicated. What does
that mean to you as you go about your tasks of service?
How is that consecration evident in what you do?
By the middle of the year, Susan was ready to quit. As
head of the congregations building committee she had
just about had it. The plans had been drawn, ground broken,
and the new education wing seemed headed for comple-
tion. But between those who kept coming to her with
suggestions and others complaining about every deci-
sion, Susan had begun to feel that she and her committee
could do nothing right.
Im going to quit, she spluttered to her committee.
This just isnt worth it! Its like being in the middle of
a battleand you dont even know what the war is about.
Mazie, one of her steady committee members, spoke
quietly. Susan, do you think you are doing the right thing
and what is best for the congregation as a whole?
Yes, I do. I think we have made each decision care-
fully and with good reason.
And do you feel that you have served God in these
decisions? Do you feel that we have followed Gods will
for this project?
Yes. I think we have spent wisely and planned well.
Then there is no waronly some disgruntled peo-
ple. They will come to terms with their whims and wish-
es. Our task is to be faithful and move ahead with what
God wants done.
Wise words. As much as we would like to believe it, doing
service among Gods people is not always easy.
Sometimes the more people care about the congregation
and its mission the more conflict there is likely to be.
Conflict can be a real test. Jacob physically wrestled with
the angel of God and seemed to win, even though he was
wounded. Peter, on the other hand, wrestled with himself
in the courtyard and failed. Even Jesus faced desperate
conflict as he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.
Following Gods will can be difficult. Thats the message
we can hear so clearly in all of these experiences. Not by
our own power and strength but by the power of the Spirit
living and working in us we can prevail. We are not called
to win every battle or be right in every decision. We are
called to be faithful. Like Susan, we are called, not to
please everyone, but to carry out the will of God as we see
it. God will take care of the rest.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) Listen,
heroes of God: Because God chose us, we are free
to be what God is calling us to be.
MARCH Gods Leaders are Tested
Read Genesis 32:2228, Matthew 26:6975, and Luke 4:113. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, send us the Spirit, the Comforter, to be with us in the
time ahead. Inspire our decisions, and set our hearts on
fire with your will so that we can be, not necessarily vic-
torious, but faithful in all that we do in your name. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
Recall a time when you were tested. What did that
testing have to do with your being a chosen leader?
What did Gods promise have to do with the outcome?
APRIL Gods Leaders are Sent
Go. The word occurs 1,165 times in the Bible.
The congregation members could not figure out how to
involve more young people. No matter how long they
waited, the young families in the neighborhood didnt
seem to come through the door. We have to go out and
bring them, said a wise member.
I wonder how many of the families moving into that new
housing development are members of a church? mused
a member of the evangelism committee. Theres only one
way to find out, said another. Weve got to go out door-
to-door, and ask them.
This community seems to have no care for the homeless.
They dont even have shelters and are hassled by the police,
said a member of the congregation council. Perhaps it is up
to us, said another, to go and speak for them.
Gods leaders do a lot of going. Abraham was roused out
of his comfortable home and told to go to a new country.
The disciples, perhaps contentedly following Jesus, were
told to go to every town and village and preach the com-
ing of the kingdom. Gathered with Jesus after the resur-
rection, Jesus followers were told to go to all and preach
and teach everything. And the women at the empty
tomb were told to go and tell.
We are still sent. We are still told to go. If we look at our
congregation and we seem to be dead in the water,
certainly the message of God is go. And if we look at our
lives and see not much happening, a kind of drift or same-
ness to it all, surely Gods message to us is go.
When we go, things happen. We move into what God has
ready for us. We engage the Spirit as guide. We climb out of
old ruts and move down new paths. We cause change. We
break into our future.
Sometimes Gods word to us seems complex. Sometimes it
seems difficult to discern Gods will. Sometimes we wan-
der and wonder. But this message is simple and clear:
Go! Go and tell. Go and teach. Go!
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) As
chosen ones, we go.
Read Genesis 12:13, Matthew 28:1620, and Mark 16:18. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, send the wind and fire of your Spirit to move us
into the future you have set for us. Fill our hearts with
a desire to go, our ears with the call to go, and our
feet with the need to go and reach and teach each
one. In the name of the one who was willing to go to
the cross for us. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
In what way do you hear Gods command to go? What
is your response? How does your congregation hear
the command? How do you respond?
We have been at this for years, said the congregation
president. We brainstorm new ministries, we dream
dreams and every time we try to put our plans into action,
something gets in the way. We always seem to be stuck
in the rut of doing the same old thing and we cant get
out of it.
You know, said farmer Arnold, one of the older council
members. I love to start to work my fields in March, to
get a head start. But almost every time I try that, I get
stuck in the mud. But when I wait on Gods timewhen
the fields are readyeverything goes just right. I think
maybe wed better see if we can move in Gods time
instead of our own.
Sometimes doing Gods work can be discouraging. We see
the way we need to go; we see the actions that need to
be taken and nothing happens. We push and prod and still
nothing happens. And like the council president, we begin
to think that almost anything we want to do is beyond us.
Jeremiah felt like that. Hed done what he was called to
do. He boldly spoke Gods word. For his trouble he was
scorned and rejected. In his discouragement he seems to
cry out Why? Why does all this trouble come my way?
Im doing my job. Why the pain? Gods answer is power-
ful. I am with you, comes the word. It is the promise that
comes to all those facing a great or discouraging task. To
Moses and Gideon, to Jeremiah and the disciples, the
promise is the same: I am with you.
Jesus makes us that same promise. No matter how dis-
couraged we may become, no matter how difficult the
task or how often we are tempted to despair, God prom-
ises to be with us. We can be certain that even though
things dont go according to our schedule, God is with us
and at work in us. For we are the sheep following the
shepherds lead. And he leads us to the blessing that God
has in store for us. Its a promise.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not choose
me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) In that promise,
we are encouraged to keep on keeping on by the
Spirits power.
MAY Gods Leaders are Encouraged
Read Jeremiah 15:1521, Matthew 28:20b and John 10:1118. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, help us to see past the dark clouds toward the
bright light of your promise. Give us your Spirit, your
presence, and your power so that all that we do can
be done in your time and according to your will. In the
name of the one who overcame every testing for us.
Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
When have you become discouraged or frustrated in
your attempts to serve? What did Gods promise mean
to you then? How can you help each other in times of
discouragement?
JUNE Gods Leaders are Equipped
I have a friend who carries a small stone in his pocket. The
stone is named enough. Having it there to touch often
helps him remember that by Gods grace there is always
enough. Enough time in the day to do what is needed.
Enough food and shelter. Enough grace to cover his mis-
takes. Enough strength to accomplish what God directs.
Enough hope to move on to tomorrow.
Gods leaders always have enough. Gideon, the least of
the least by his own admission, had only 300 warriors,
but they were enough to defeat the great Midianite army.
The disciples, certainly not trained speakers, had enough
courage to stand before the tribunals and judges who
called them to account for their faith. There they spoke,
not their words, but the words provided by the Spirit. The
believers gathered at Pentecost had enoughenough of
the fire of the Spirit to proclaim the Good News to the
multitudes gathered. And thousands believed.
It is easy to fall into the there is not enough trap. By our
human standards, there is never enough. Never enough
time. Never enough money. Never enough workers. We
live in a world of never enough. And if we try to run Gods
church that way, we will always be frustrated, stopped,
and struggling.
God always gives enough. We have enough gifts to make
wonderful things happen. We have enough grace to
overcome the failings and faults of today and make a
better tomorrow. We have enough vision to see what
God can do with us and through us in the place where
we are. We are equipped to equip others generously and
without hesitation.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) In that
choosing we know that we are equipped with
enough to do what God is calling us to do, now, in
Gods world, among Gods people.
Read Judges 6:117:23, Matthew 10:19, and Acts 2. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, help us celebrate the gifts you give by sharing
them quickly, generously, and openly. Let our giving
startle the people of the world so that they may see
our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.
In the name of the one who was able to do everything
for us. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
What special gifts has God given you and your congre-
gation? In what way are they enough? What can you
hope to accomplish because you have enough?
Then Peter came and said to him, Lord, if another mem-
ber of the church sins against me, how often should I for-
give? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, Not
seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
(Matthew 18:2122)
Because of our emphasis on forgiveness, Christians have
been called the people of the second chance. Jesus takes
the thing a bit farther. Not people of the second chance
people of the seventy-seventh chance. Startling? Certainly
it was to Peter. But God has always been almost unbe-
lievably ready to restore the fallen and needing ones.
Remember Samson? Judges 16 shows him to be a violent
and selfish person. And yet he was given another chance
and again became an agent of Gods action. Peter failed.
He denied Jesus exactly as he was warned he would do.
And yet Jesus gently restores him in love and entrusts him
with a ministry to Gods lambs and sheep. The woman
who touched Jesus clothes had suffered for years with
her illness and sought every kind of healing. By her faith
she received restoration.
We still live in a broken world. The worlds brokenness
invades the church. We know that even in the church rela-
tionships are broken over what may seem like unimportant
things. How often have we heard phrases like: Unless
she apologizes or, I did all I could and no one even
or even, Im never coming back. Left to our own
devices, even in the community of believers, broken rela-
tionships certainly bring us into conflict.
But we are the people of the seventy-seventh chance. We
are the restored restorers. Charged by Jesus to forgive
that absurd number of times, we do not rest until those
separated by sin and hurt are brought back together again.
And we begin by remembering that each of us is Peter on
the beach with Jesus. Each of us has denied him by word
or action. Each of us has stumbled and fallen. Jesus
might well have turned away from any of us. And yet he
comes to us again and again, seeking to restore us, to
heal our spirit, to put our relationship with God back
together again.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) What
else can we do but be Gods restorers?
JULY Gods Leaders are Restored
Read Judges 16:2331; John 21:1519 and Mark 5:2534. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, make us those who live by the power of your
Spirit, who restore, renew, rebuild, and recreate the
relationships you have given us as gifts. In the name of
the one who continues to restore us. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
When have you been restored? When have you been a
part of restoring someone else? How was God and
Gods promise a part of those restorations?
AUGUST Gods Leaders are Fed
ELCA World Hunger information tells us that in developing
countries in the world
852 million people are hungry
815 million people are undernourished
1.2 billion people live on less than $1/day
153 million children under age 5 are underweight
11 million children under age 5 die every year, over
half of these deaths are from hunger-related causes
1 in 6 people is hungry
1 in 4 people lacks safe drinking water
Our reaction might well be one of shame, since, while so
many struggle for daily bread, most of us have so much. Or
we might react in thanksgiving that we are among the
blessed who have a full table every day.
God is a bread provider; we are bread sharers. God cared
for the Israelites in the wilderness with a gift they did not
even understand. They called it mannameaning
What is it? God provided then and continues to provide
today. We receive the gift of daily bread and share with
those who are in need.
In addition to physical hunger, we may also experience
spiritual hunger. We feel lost, empty. God seems far off
and the way ahead looks gloomy. As when we are physi-
cally hungry, when we are spiritually starving we need to
be fed. God finds us in our spiritual need and fills that need
with the only bread that can take care of our spiritual
hunger and restore us, the bread of lifeJesus himself.
The bread and wine that we receive at the altar may seem
like something less than spectacular. Certainly we dont
ask, What is it? We know what we receive. We receive
nothing other than Jesus himself, for our spiritual food.
Our soul is restored. The free gift is there for us and we
receive it remembering what Jesus has given for us.
Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
We live in a world of spiritually hungry people. They wan-
der and search, seeking to fill the emptiness inside. We
owe these seekers the same thing we owe those who are
physically hungry. God provides bread, both physical and
spiritual. We are called to share both.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) As
Gods chosen ones, our task, our challenge, our joy
is to share our gifted bread with those in need. God
gives lifewe are the sharers of that life.
Read Exodus 16:1335, Matthew 25:2429, and John 6:35. What similarities do you note?
Prayer
Lord, giver of all good things, giver of bread, giver of
life, make us those who not only live in thanksgiving
for the gifts we receive, but those who joyfully share
your good gifts with all. In the name of the one who is
our bread of life. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
When have you been spiritually hungry? What filled
you then? When have you shared bread with some-
one? What did that experience mean to you?
The Peanuts cartoon shows Lucy lecturing Linus. She
explains to him that inside of him he has a saint leading
him to do good and a sinner pushing him toward evil.
Linus gets a queasy look on his face, holds his stomach
and says: I think I can feel them fighting in there.
Certainly Paul felt the struggle. He laments his inability to
do the good that he wants to do and his constant choos-
ing of the evil that he wants to avoid. Wretched man that
I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
(Romans 7:24) he exclaims.
We may be able to avoid the struggle between doing
good or evil for a time, but something or someone (like
Nathan confronting David) always brings us back to the
realization that we are losing the battle against the evil
in and around us.
My almost four-year-old granddaughter brought me a cruci-
fix that was waiting to be mounted on a wall of her new
house. Look, Grandpa, she said, cradling the cross in her
hands, they forgot the nails. And indeed, the stylized fig-
ure on the cross gave evidence of no nails. It was a beauti-
ful piece of flowing bronze art but the nails were missing.
Holy Cross Day (September 14) helps us put the nails back
into the story. It is easy, in our concern for making the
gospel more acceptable, to leave the nails out. After all,
people would rather hear about Gods love than a lot of
suffering and dying. In the midst of a life that may have
more nails than smiles, a God story that bristles with nails
may seem decidedly unhelpful. But the quick trip to the
open tomb without going by way of the cross (complete
with nails) can create a beautiful artistic impression, but
have little to do with the resurrection.
Confronting the cross of Christ drags us kicking and scream-
ing to the scandal of Calvary and the cosmic depression of
that Friday death. Then Easter can overwhelm us with the
truth that evil has been defeated, we have been forgiven,
and death has indeed lost its sting and the grave its victory.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) As
Gods chosen ones we join in Pauls thanksgiving,
reveling in the grace of God who loved enough
to save us.
SEPTEMBER Gods Leaders are Forgiven
Read 2 Samuel 12:113, Romans 7:1425, and John 3:1416. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, help us not only to confront the sin that still
plagues us, but also to return often to the cross of
Christ where we are assured of the forgiveness that
we have received and that we have to share. In the
name of the one who has made the cross holy. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
What does the scandal of the cross mean to you?
In what way is Gods forgiveness a daily gift to you?
How do you share it?
OCTOBER Gods Leaders are Free
In the late 1850s, a successful businessman from England
visited St. Louis. As he walked around the city, he came
upon a slave auction on the courthouse steps. Among
those chained to be auctioned, he noticed one man, much
bigger and stronger than the others. Unlike the rest, this
man held his head erect, looking straight aheadas still
as a statue. And a statue he might have been, except for
the great tears that traced shiny rivers down his face.
When the man stood to be sold, the price quickly went to
a thousand dollars. The Englishman called out Fifteen
hundred dollars, and other bids stopped.
After paying the accountant, the merchant, followed a few
paces behind by his new property, walked off. After they
turned a corner and were out of sight of the crowd, the
Englishman turned. You can go now, he said. You are
free. The other man stood still, gazing at him through nar-
rowed eyes. He did not seem to understand.
I said you are free. I have bought your freedom. You are no
longer a slave. The man continued to stare at him in silence.
Please, you are free, the merchant said again. You can
do what you want to. The former slave finally smiled.
Dont you see? he said. I want to serve you.
Much of what passes for religion in our world has to do
with duty, obligation, guilt, and rules. Sometimes people
take offices in the church because they feel obligated or
are made to feel guilty if they dont. Sometimes people try
to please God by following the rules and doing their duty.
Martin Luther struggled with the idea of religious obliga-
tion. He saw God as strict and demanding and almost
killed himself doing acts he thought would satisfy God.
But whatever he did was never enough. Finally he heard
the gracious word: For by grace you have been saved
through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift
of God (Ephesians 2:8). Suddenly he knew what it meant
to be free. He was freenot to live for himself, but to live
for a loving God who gave the gift of salvation.
The people enslaved in Egypt were delivered by Gods
grace and freed. Gods people today continue to be set free
by Gods grace and called to willingly follow, joyfully serve.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . .
(John 15:16)
As Gods chosen ones,
freed from the bondage
of guilt and death, we
are free to serve, free to
be what God is calling us
to be, free to celebrate the
life we have been given
in Jesus.
Read Exodus 3:715, Galatians 5:1, and Ephesians 2:110. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, help us live out our freedom in joyful service to
you and to all. Give us hearts that overflow with
thanksgiving, voices that fill with your praise, and
hands busy at the tasks you give us. We pray in the
name of the one who chose us and set us free. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
How do you experience Gods gift of freedom? When
does freedom seem elusive? What helps you share
Gods freedom?
Grandma Benson died in her 94th year. Shed been living
in a small room at the nursing home for many years. Her
mind was not always clear when I visited with her. She
seemed to remember her childhood better than the years
she had been active in the congregation some twenty
years before.
I thought the funeral would be small. Few people
seemed to remember her, few ever mentioned her name.
To my surprise, when I arrived to do the service the room
was packed.
One couple told me, Most of the people you see here are
still in the church because of that wonderful woman. She
taught us all. More importantly, she loved us alland we
knew it.
Some peoples gifts are easy to see. Others have quieter
and less obvious gifts. Grandma Benson loved the children
she taught in such a way that they knew they were
loveda wonderful gift, but not very flashy.
God is a gifter. Hezikiah was given 15 years of life; Lazarus
resurrection; and Paul tells us that each of us is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1
Corinthians 12:7). What sets us apart as leaders in the
church is not that we have giftsGod gives gifts gener-
ously to all. It is that we are willing to use our gifts to the
glory of God and for the sake of Gods people.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) We are
chosen and gifted so that we can lead the abun-
dant life of purpose and service.
NOVEMBER Gods Leaders are Gifted
Read 2 Kings 20:16, 1 Corinthians 12, and John 11. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, make us instruments of your love and care as we
discover the gifts you have given and set our hearts
and minds on using them to your glory and the benefit
of others. In the name of the one who was gift for us,
help us to be the gifted who give. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
On a piece of paper list your giftsthe talents, abili-
ties, or strengths that God has given you. Next to each
of your gifts, write down how you have used it. Which
gifts are easiest to use? Which have been most effec-
tive? Which still wait to be put to good use?
Share your list with someone else. Talk about how you
can invite the Spirit to lead you to a more effective use
of the gifts you have received for the common good.
DECEMBER Gods Leaders are Alight
Once there was a rather remarkable woman named
Hannah. Hannah was remarkable because she fairly
glowed with the joy of her faith. While others talked about
religion, Hannah lived her faith. While others planned pro-
grams and fussed about the operation of the congrega-
tion, Hannah went about teaching and comforting and
supporting others.
The more Hannah gave, the more she seemed to glow. The
more she did for others, the more a strange kind of light
seemed to come from her. And it got brighter and brighter
with each passing day.
Soon Hannahs glow was so bright that it seemed to hurt
peoples eyes to be around her. Most people make their own
kind of portable light that shines on themselvesso that
others can see and admire them. But Hannahs light didn't
shine on her at all. It shone from her and lit those around her.
And it was so bright that it showed every blemish and fault,
every age spot and scar, every imperfection they had. And,
over time, Hannah became very unpopular indeed.
Oh, it doesnt matter, said Hannah. For everyone who
hides from the light, another finds the way. Perhaps some
are tired of trying to make their own light or tired of trying
to stand in the twilight of their own goodness.
Gods gift to us is light in the darkness. Jesus is the light
that shines in the darkness (John 1:5). God makes us
alight with the Spirit and with the work that the Spirit is
doing through uswork that glorifies God.
Sometimes it is difficult to remember that we are the
light of the world. The darkness is tempting. The no
sayers are many. The gloom of the past can shroud us and
the fear of the future can darken our hope. But now, at the
time of the coming of the Christ Child, we are given the
gift of light once again. We are the light of the world. We
are aglow with the Spirit. Aglow with a light that the dark
world desperately needs.
Jesus said and continues to say, You did not
choose me but I chose you. . . . (John 15:16) As
Gods chosen ones we are aglow with the Spirit so
that others might find their way in the darkness.
Read Isaiah 60:15, 1920, Matthew 5:1416, and John 1:118. What similarities do you see?
Prayer
Lord, set us on fire with your Spirit so that we might be
aglow with the gift of life and hope that you offer in
Jesus Christ. In our dark world, set us as a light for all
to see, a hope for all to hold, a way for all to follow. In
the name of the coming Christ. Amen.
For ref lection and discussion
How is your congregation a light to your community.
What hope do you offer? What invitation to the lost and
wandering do people find in you? Talk about ways to
make your congregation a light set on a hill for the
sake of those who are still in the darkness.