Devotion for April 20, 2008

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.  1 Corinthians 16: 13-14

Once when I was on a camp out with my cousins, we decided to go for a late night walk. We gathered our flashlights and begin to walk in the darkness. Eventually, all of our flashlights ran out of battery power, and we were left in the shadows of the night. Of course, I started to panic, but one of my older cousins calmed us down and reminded us that we were fine and that all would be okay. She told us to focus on the path, to not panic or be afraid, and to keep alert for snakes…WOW!  But we followed her direction, and soon we were back to where we had started.

Paul’s words to the church at Corinth are words for me as we approach the 2008 General Conference. As persons seeking God’s justice in the world and church, we may feel a sense of fear, anxiety, or uncertainty as we turn our journey toward Fort Worth. As we work for the inclusion of all God’s people, we know that the path can be treacherous and difficult. We cannot walk without intentional spiritual and physical preparation. We cannot move casually. At the same time, we must also not walk in fear and panic. We know that Christ walks along side with us, and he encourages us with the power of the Holy Spirit.   

As we prepare to make witness for God’s vision for the church to include ALL, let us keep alert, stand firm in faith, be courageous, and be strong. And most of all, may all that we do be done in love.

James Preston