Devotion for November 27, 2020 from Pastor Barbara Caine of Holy Redeemer:
Dear Church,
Today is the day after Thanksgiving! This is the wonderful meal that I had yesterday. It’s sad to say, but true, that, in spite of the fact that I was warm, healthy, safe, and ate a delicious meal, I struggled all day yesterday. I had a very bad case of “if only…” If only the vaccines were out… If only I could go see my girls and their families. If only this could be like any other Thanksgiving Day… If only….
As often happens when one is wallowing, God’s light began to pierce my darkness. Ever had that happen? Words begins to rise up in your consciousness and you begin to realize that God is speaking.
IN THE beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5
John’s words shifted the light from “If only…” to “what if…” What if I….? What if we….? Now, I won’t lecture you on what your “what if” should be, but I will say that I feel better thinking about the light. “What if” feels proactive, like I, or we together, could really do something about… instead of sitting in the dark. “What if” thinking won’t stop the Pandemic, or make the vaccine available sooner, but it sure is the kind of thinking those amazing scientist are using to develop the vaccines – multiple vaccines! – that will be available soon. “What if” thinking won’t give everyone enough food, but it sure is the kind of thinking at work in every food bank and donor and shelter around! I especially love those amazing people who are connecting farmers with hungry people all over the country! We have enough for for the world! We just have a distribution problem!
We are the people of God and from the time God first created us, we have been in the business of living in the light, in all the brilliant ways it is possible to do. In our work, in our play, in our prayers, and in our hearts, God’s light is shining, whether we are sad and lonely, or not. Some of the most incredible works God has done have been done by people who are grieving, and lonely, or have been denied justice. They turned their grief and their solitude, and their commitment to freedom for all into acts of light for their neighbors, their neighborhood, their cities, their states, and their countries.
Thank you, all of you, for sharing God’s light with the world, and with me! Happy Day After Thanksgiving!
Blessings to you as we look forward to our Savior’s birth! In Christ,
Pastor Barbara