Morning Devotional 100125 For a Time Such As This

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

October 1, 2025 

Matthew 22:34-40

34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless, they met together. 35 One of them, a legal expert, tested him. 36 “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being,and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it:You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

Good Morning! Go and share the love of God with everyone!

October 1, 2020, marks the birth of my pastoral ministry. Many of you know that Lowell, my sweet husband, passed after a long battle with cancer on July 21, 2020. 

The summer of 2020 was a strange time to die because all of the typical experiences of expressing grief and the sharing of comfort were off-limits due to the pandemic. Gatherings were limited to close family and friends, who had to maintain a safe distance of six feet. We wore masks, and those hugs that could bring such comfort were considered unsafe and therefore discouraged. 

It was during the midst of living in a world in disarray that God called me to be a pastor. Lowell and I had been a ministerial team, but I never saw myself as a preacher. The call was clear to me, and I answered, “Yes, Lord.” After phone calls and virtual meetings, I was appointed as a Lay Supply Pastor at Rodes UMC. 

Again, it was a strange time to be a pastor. We met outdoors, and people had to remain in their cars. Visitation with my members was by phone or ZOOM. My pulpit was located on the porch outside the church's front door. Our worship team was at the mercy of the weather, but by God’s grace, the church continued to meet as I shared the words God placed on my heart. 

When we accept God’s calling and choose to follow Jesus, we are never promised an easy life free of challenges. All who love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves, are promised that we will never be alone. Even when the world seems to be plunged into chaos, God continues to speak and call us forward. Praise be to God!

Loving Lord, you bless us abundantly! We seem to find endless ways to make a mess of your world. Thank you for continuing to call us to you and a life filled with blessings.  Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: No matter what is going on, share the love of God with others!

For a time such as this! Pastor Liz