James Moore once shared a story about something Robert Raines saw early one morning on a drive through the mountains. The colors of fall were illuminated by the early morning sun. The views over the valleys were breathtaking. And then, Raines passed by one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. Right at the edge of a mountain peak overlooking the golden valley below, a young man in his early twenties stood playing his trumpet. With all of his soul, he was belting out the doxology! 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise, Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

Moore wrote, “The point is clear: With all the stresses and problems in this life, still the truth is:

– We have so many doxologies to sing,
– So much to be grateful for,
– So many blessings to count.

 The point is that life is more than a grueling endurance test. Life is more than a survival game. Life is more than a coping competition. So, you see… it’s not enough to just escape the stress. It’s not enough to just endure the stress…”

I pray today that God would give us eyes to see the beauty and good that surrounds us on every side. And even in the midst of life’s challenges, may we ever find ways to sing praise.  

Let us pray: God of Hope, though we may not stand on the mountaintop, grant us the ability to recognize the blessings in our life here and now. Amen.

I’ve been reflecting lately on how the Bible is truly a living Word, and how God speaks to us through it differently at different moments in time. Yesterday we looked at one example. Today, let’s take a look at another verse. 

In the Gospel of John (chapter 15), on the night of his betrayal and arrest, Jesus said to his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” 

I can only wonder how the disciples heard that. I wonder if they could begin to see themselves as being caught up in a divine purpose; that they were there for a reason beyond themselves. Perhaps they didn’t understand at all… I wonder.

And then we might wonder about John’s community…As they heard these words, did this give them any kind of encouragement to stand firm in the face of their own persecution?  We’ve been chosen for this…  I’ve been chosen for this… 

And again, what about us today? 

What does it mean to be chosen? 

This question makes me think about Elementary School. In Physical Education Class, the coach would pick two captains and they would get to choose their teams. At that age, I was wearing these thick “Coke bottle” glasses – and I was always one of the last to be chosen.

But Jesus has chosen to me… And you. 

What does it mean to be chosen? In a culture that is all about individual choice and autonomy, it raises some questions. What are we doing here? Did we make the choice to follow Christ – or did he choose us?  Are we caught up in some divine purpose – larger than ourselves? Are you here at this time and place in your life for a reason? 

What has he chosen you for? 

What is God’s Word saying to you today?

Let us pray:  We thank you, O God, once again for your love for each one of us. And we thank you for calling us to be a part of something larger than ourselves. Attune us to your will, and grant us willing hearts to respond. Amen. 

Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

In the novel about life in a mental hospital, entitled One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, these words were uttered by Randall Patrick McMurphy: “That’s the first thing that got me thinking about this place, there wasn’t anybody laughing. I haven’t heard a real laugh since I came through that door……When you lose your laugh, you lose your footing. ” 

Because of the level of depression and pain in such institutions, a heavy dose of laughter is sorely needed. Through laughter, inner torments work themselves out. It is the medicine needed to revive a wracked heart or withering spirit. We need sure footing along life’s rugged paths. A steady supply of laughter gives us footing. For when I complain, scowl, or retaliate, I am caught in the clutches of cursedness. I am miles from blessing anything. When I laugh, life giggles and shakes in delight. 

We are reminded that the Gospel is not boring, it is not ho-hum, it is good news. Ta-Da! In Proverbs, we read, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) 

Let us pray: God of all precious things, who hears our pain even when tears block our words, create in us a heart of laughter and hope. May your Spirit still the anxiety of those who live with enormous pressure and stress. So bring us comfort where we need comfort, but where we need justice, let there be love. Lord, you have become an undeniable presence, a reliable friend, the one who walks in when the rest of the world walks away. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

I was listening to a podcast the other day an interview with the Irish poet and peacemaker Padraig O Tunama. Yesterday I spoke about Henri Nouwen who encouraged us to set aside time for prayer and meditation. O Tunama spoke about his own way of centering each day… taking time apart… He phrased it so beautifully. He said:

“Neither I nor the poets I love found the keys to the kingdom of prayer and we cannot force God to stumble over us where we sit. But I know that it’s a good idea to sit anyway. So every morning I sit, I kneel, waiting, making friends with the habit of listening, hoping that I’m being listened to. There, I greet God in my own disorder. I say hello to my chaos, my unmade decisions, my unmade bed, my desire, and my trouble. I say hello to distraction…, I greet the day and I greet my beloved and bewildering Jesus. I recognize and greet my burdens, my luck, my controlled and uncontrollable story… I greet the things I think will happen and I say hello to everything I do not know about the day…. I greet God, and I greet the God who is more God than the God I greet. / Hello to you all, I say, as the sun rises above the chimneys of North Belfast. / Hello.” 

Some of you, I imagine have developed habits of prayer and silence. For others of you, maybe as we enter this summer season, this would be the perfect time to begin to carve out even just a few minutes each day to sit in God’s presence and listen for God’s still small voice.

Let us pray. God of Grace, as we set apart even a few moments each day of quiet, we humbly ask you to meet us in that place. Give us ears to hear from you and hearts to respond. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Beth Knopik was the keynote speaker at a Dial Hope event that we sponsored in Sarasota last month. She and her husband Steve lost a daughter at age 16 to a rare heart virus. It is hard to even begin to imagine the pain of that loss. Beth wrote a book about her experience with the idea that she might help others. And it is really quite touching. It’s called, Beyond the Rainbow.

There was one particular moment in the book where Beth describes a turning point. She writes: 

“Little by little, there began to appear in my dark, dismal cave a tiny sliver of light. One evening, several months into our loss, Steve and I sat at the kitchen counter, having dinner. There was nothing remarkable about that day or that moment, but suddenly, out of nowhere, a mysterious feeling began to wash over me. My body warmed. I felt the hair on my arms and the back of my neck raise. It was as if my heart, grown so heavy these last few months, felt lighter. Every cell in my body breathed a moment of total, utter calm.”

“At the time, I had no idea what was happening. Now, I know that what I felt was the pure presence and gift of grace. A moment of true clarity. I turned to face Steve. My voice firm with conviction, I declared, ‘We are going to be okay. We are going to get through this. I knew it with everything in me.’”

Reflecting on Beth’s story, I’m reminded that I’ve heard other stories too about how just when life seemed to be falling apart, something deep inside started to grow: a hope that couldn’t be contained, a hope that they would see a loved one again; hope that tomorrow doesn’t have to be the same as today – things can change – that there can be a new start. 

I’ve had others tell me that just at that moment when they thought they were just about beyond their ability to cope, a strange peace came over them, or an inexplicable sense of joy that arose out of the darkness…

I’m reminded by these stories, that God is a God who can bring strength out of weakness, a God who can use our brokenness, even our failures and our shortcomings to make something new – even something beautiful. 

I’m deeply grateful to Beth, and her willingness to share her story. Even in the midst of all she has gone through, God has given her a heart to help others.

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, for your grace that sustains us, and compels us. I pray today that you would draw near to those who need you most. Bring healing, comfort, and hope. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.