Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'" (Luke 15:31-32)
God’s blessing is ours as a gift of grace. Yet too often we feel too busy or unworthy to enjoy it.
So come whether you feel lost or found, prodigal or faithful today. Pause, abide, and refresh in the way to blessing.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12
Rejoice and be glad? I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t cheer if people hated, hurt, or mocked me for my beliefs. Whether it’s easy or hard to stand up for what we believe, when we speak out against school bullying or advocate against systemic injustice, God promises to be right alongside of us.
Imprisoned and executed for resistance to the Nazis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote of this blessing in his 1943 Christmas prison prayer:
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me.
Living in faith may not be easy; God knows that. But God promises to be with us at every step, blessing and keeping us along the way.
Molly Logan
Almighty God, I don’t always understand your ways. How can I radiate your light and forgiveness even when it’s costly to me? Help me to trust that you do know the way for me and that you walk with me, blessing me each day. Amen.
We’re blessed to be a blessing.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen, and the God of peace will be with you.(Philippians 4:8-9)