The theme is coming into view. The theme for the week of devotions I’m writing. My deadline is just over a month away, and I’m finding my writing falling into place. Still, it is hard to keep it to the proper length. I want to weave more words into the story. But I’m doing what I’m told, and following the rules.
One thing that has helped is writing prayers for our Daily Prayers for Change feature through Discipleship Ministries online. We are joining with all the agencies and the council of Bishops and creating resources for anti-racism. One of the elements are daily prayers that you can receive through your email. Over 1,000 United Methodist’s are receiving these prayers Monday through Friday each week. You are invited to sign up if you’d like to be a part of the group praying for change. Here’s a link:
But I mention it because I’m writing some of them each week and we need to keep them brief. So, it is helping me be in the mindset of writing quickly to get to the point. Folks won’t necessarily read and pray the prayers if it takes too long. So, I’m trying to get to the point.
This devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians, which purports to be written by Paul. Some scholars dispute this, however, as they do. But whoever wrote it, it is telling the church of that day and this day that we can rely on God and believe in the promise, even as we are called to be careful about who we put in charge of our vision and our hope. So, here is the devotion I’ll be submitting (after the scripture, I mean!)
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? ... But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
Waiting is always hard. You can smell those cookies baking. You watch the clock hands move. And it seems interminable. So you try to hurry it along. You open the oven before the cake is done. You attempt to make the clock hands move faster by sheer force of will. But nothing. Waiting is inevitable. And difficult.
That’s why Jesus never just says “wait!” There was always something else. “Watch and wait.” Or “keep awake and be ready.” Waiting is not empty time. It is time for doing. Not just busy work to keep you distracted. We’re waiting for Jesus, for the Kin-dom of God, for fulfillment. So our waiting is learning to live as though it was already here. We practice Kin-dom living every day. Yet, we always know there is more. That’s what 2 Thessalonians is telling us. Don’t assume we’re done, don’t assume this is the best it can get. We don’t wait with eyes closed, acting as if this life doesn’t matter because there will be a day when someone else sets it all right. No, we wait by working with the Spirit to build the Someday that is coming.
We need a Someday; a vision of what might be possible. Not to distract us, or lull us into laziness or push us into despair. The Someday we long for is fulfillment, the blessed community, the experience of love. When we get a taste of it, we can rejoice. We can comfort our hearts and take strength from that experience; that kiss of grace that comes from a surprising place. We strive for more, for justice, for peace, for mercy in this life. We can smell those cookies baking and wait with hope.
Loving God, we wait for the fulfillment promised by your Son. May we never give up hope, may be never stop leaning into Someday. Walk with us, that we might see and know the Kin-dom. Amen.
Shalom,
Derek
