Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 1, 2022
Read Hebrews 12:1-3
1 So then, with endurance, let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, 2 and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won’t be discouraged and you won’t give up.
Good Morning, For All the Saints, we thank you, Lord!
Happy All Saints Day! The longer that I walk upon this earth, the more I sense the presence of the saints that lead me along my faith journey. As I prepared for my All Saints Day service this past Sunday, I began by defining “saint”. In its most basic sense, a saint is a “holy one,” someone who is set apart for God’s special purposes. As a result, every follower of Jesus Christ is a saint. The great oxymoron is that we are sinners as well. Perhaps we can consider ourselves saints in training.
Remember when you moved from a tricycle to a bicycle? My first bicycle had the training wheels attached so that when I got wobbly the “extra” wheels would keep me from turning over and getting hurt. I remember relying on those training wheels for quite a while, but as I built up confidence my dad told me it was time to remove them and try riding without the help. I was scared, but dad got me started and as I focused on staying upright, dad gradually let go, and off I went. I think when I realized that I was alone, I faltered a bit, but then I straighten up and rode around the loop.
The “great cloud of witnesses” that surround us provides us with the strength and hope to carry on through our greatest challenges. Like the training wheels on my bike, the saints are there for us to lean upon when we are in need. The great thing is that we never get too old for relying upon our saintly “training wheels”. Thanks be to God.
We, too, are called to be saints to those in need around us. We are to care for the outcasts and those who can not advocate on their own behalf. As we remember those who led us upon our paths, those who lifted us up when we were down, and those who steadied us when we were wobbly, may we embrace our own sainthood as those who are set apart for God’s purpose.
I will close with a poem that I was inspired to write for All Saints Day 2022
Story of Faith
From a Child of God
Who am I?
How did I get here?
Who am I yet to become?
Imagine living in a world without Christ
To whom would we turn
when our world is collapsing around us
To whom would we pray
when we are thankful for our blessings
Would our days be consumed with darkness?
How could we find our way without the light?
God, our Creator, proclaimed “Let there be light!”
Within the light live our hopes and our dreams
Within the light, we find love, peace, mercy, and joy
Within the light lies our strength and our power
As I consider how I came to be here today,
I remember those who led me along the way
My family who never turned away from me
My teachers and my church family
who patiently nurtured me no matter what.
My path has not always been straight and narrow
Great opportunities and challenges came
with each turn and divergence along my journey
Each time I felt lost, someone was there to guide me
I thank God for placing angels along my way.
I marvel at those complete strangers who appeared to save me
when all seemed lost and I felt alone.
My story of faith contains days of love and laughter,
But also days of frustration and despair
As I have matured, I have learned to understand
that each day is a blessing despite its appearance
We must reach out and claim the grace today and every day
because we do not know when we will be called to glory.
Who am I?
A child of God
How did I get here?
With the help of all the saints who lifted me up when I was down.
Who am I yet to become?
Only God knows.
God reveals glimpses of my plan to me as I am ready.
For now, I will remain steadfast on my journey.
As the Saints continue to guide and show me the way.
Before all, I claim God’s grace, mercy, and love.
Before all, I proclaim Jesus, my Lord, and Savior to all.
Now and Forever
For as long as I have breath.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. You give us so much, yet we are not always ready to respond in kind. Thank you for our training wheels. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will remember the saints in my life today.
Bless be the Saints! Pastor Liz
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