First Week of Easter: From FEAR to LIGHT
STEP ONE: BREATHE
Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.
STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD
“I will not leave you alone” ”
“FEAR NOT” Imagine Light
“I will not leave you alone.” These are the most comforting words we can hear when we are fearful, hurting or unsure about a situation or the future. Such was the position of the disciples when Jesus made two comforting promises. First, Jesus promised he would not leave them alone and second, that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them and to be an “advocate” for them. It is in light of these two promises that Jesus says “do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
When we were baptized, the pastor traced a cross on our foreheads and spoke these words on behalf of God: Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. That means that the Spirit of God is in us and with us all of our lives. Different words but the same promise is made to us!
Yes, we are disappointed at the cancellation of many and such milestone events in our lives. Yes, it has been another week of frightening numbers around the Coronavirus. However the promise of God does not fail. God is with us, the Holy Spirit is an advocate for us.
One of the most dearly held parts of Scripture is the 23rd Psalm. It is loved by so many of us for its very strong and beautiful imagery of God’s presence. It reminds us that God does not swoop in and remove our troubles from us, but that God and Jesus walk with us, lead us, through whatever we face and will bring us to the “still waters” of the other side.
One day all of this will be in our rearview mirror and we will go back to being together for graduations, weddings, birthdays and even baptisms where another child of God will be sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Until then we hold tight to the promise…do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid for I am with you always.
STEP THREE: PRAY
God the unexpected, your Word and your promises are sure. In this time of disappointment and worry, help us to allow your promise to hold us tight. We are not alone but always held in your loving hands. Amen.
Today’s devotion is by Pastor Dennis Sepper. Pastor Dennis has served churches in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota and Washington State. He is retired after serving 20 years as a University Pastor at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Washington.
© 2020. Dennis Sepper. Permission granted to share with family and friends.