Listen

Who will separate us from Christ’s love? Will we be separated by trouble, or distress, or harassment, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Romans 8:35

Think

There are many examples of places in our lives where we may be tempted to believe that Jesus is far away. In particularly tough or uncertain times, Jesus may seem a million miles away. This verse features Paul asking two questions about being separated from the love of Christ. Before we read Paul’s answer to his own questions a couple of verses later, we are invited to consider the people and circumstances that could keep us from recognizing Jesus’ love for us.

What are some circumstances in your own life that are currently distracting you from the love of Christ? For many of us, COVID-19 has rearranged most every part of our lives. Summer plans have changed or been cancelled entirely, and uncertainty surrounds the future. Yet, as Paul soon answers, nothing – not even a cloud of uncertainty or sadness or fear – will ever separate us from the love of Christ.

Jonathan Hall

Pray

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me unconditionally. In times when I feel far away from you, help me to remember the amazing truth that nothing can separate me from your love. Let your constant love for me shine through my life as I seek to love others as you love me. Amen.

Go

May God give you Grace never to sell yourself short!

Grace to risk something big for something good!

Grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but Love!

from “The Dismissal Blessing” by William Sloane Coffin