Some time ago, I read a magazine article entitled, “Drifting Toward Hope” by a man named Vinh Chung. As a small child, Chung was a refugee from Vietnam – who set out with his family on a small boat. Somehow they were rescued at sea, and his family was taken in by a Lutheran church in Arkansas.  Life was extremely hard growing up but he worked hard, went to Medical school, and became a doctor. 

In 2002, he returned to Vietnam and was appalled at how his relatives lived in dire poverty. He wrote, “Visiting them was like walking into a parallel universe – the life that would have been mine – had the wind blown our boat in a different direction.

Chung went on to write, “In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said, ‘When someone has been given much, much will be required…”  I used to wonder who Jesus meant because I sure didn’t think it was my family. The way I saw it, we had been given nothing; entrusted with nothing. I hoped that rich and powerful people would read Jesus’s words and take them to heart. 

“But when I went to Vietnam, I finally understood: He meant me. I was the one plucked from the South China Sea. I was the one granted asylum in a nation where education is available to everyone, and prosperity is attainable for anyone. I worked hard to get where I am today, but the humbling truth is that my hard work was possible because of a blessing I did nothing to deserve. And that blessing is something I must pass on, in any way I can.”

When I read this article, I found Chung’s story compelling. Indeed in the words of Genesis, we have been blessed to be a blessing to others. And it has been the witness of countless generations that our lives take on great meaning and hope when we find ways to give back.

Let us pray: Generous God, you have blessed us in ways great and small. Open our eyes to see the many ways in which we might share from our abundance; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Some time back, I heard an interview with a Catholic priest who happened to disagree with the Vatican on a major issue. When he was asked why he stayed with his church, even though he thoroughly disagreed with this teaching, he said, “When I was growing up, it was expected for us to be at the dinner table.  It was not expected that all family members agree about everything all the time. It was just expected that you would show up. And we always did, because deep down we knew we needed each other.”

There’s no doubt about it, community is challenging and can be difficult. But it is also vital to life. May you remember today that you need other people. And, they need you! Let us make every effort to show up to the table – even with people who are very different from us.

Our prayer today was written by Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. Let us pray: Loving God, every day you call us from our dark sleep with your celestial light. You leave your footprint on the scarlet sunset. You surround us with your love. Pour into our hearts and minds the wine of wonder, gratitude and grace, humility and hope. We believe… help our unbelief. Help us to be connected, to love more, to love beyond love’s comfort. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There is an Old Testament scholar, Gerhard Von Rad, who claims that the whole idea of faith for ancient Israel came out of the dangerous contexts of war. Think about where Israel is geographically. They were in the perfect bridge position between Europe / Asia and Africa, and they were always under threat from foreign powers. Everybody wanted that land. It was prime real estate. They were constantly faced with threats just beyond their ability to cope. 

Have you ever been in a place just beyond your ability to cope?

The Hebrew word for faith is “Emeth” – from which we get the word Amen. Amen means yes, it is so. So faith is a “yes” in the face of “no!” Faith is a “yes,” God is going to get us through this. Faith comes from the brink, from the edge of life, from the place where we are beyond our ability to cope.                                

The book of Lamentations in the Bible gives voice to this kind of faith. The book describes the hurt and anger and complaints of a people devastated by war. It’s amazing that right in the middle of sheer heartache, we read these verses of praise: 

“But this I call to mind, and therefore have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:20-23).

For thousands of years, people of faith have found this to be true: that even when you are at that place beyond your ability to cope, the place where you think you can’t possibly deal with one more thing – the place where everything feels like it is about to fall apart  – that even there God is faithful.

Let us pray: God we ask for an upwelling of hope that in the midst of life’s joys and troubles, we would know, without a doubt, that you are present, that you are with us, and that you are faithful.  We turn over to you now any confusing or troubling issues that we face – and we ask for your mercy and for your guidance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I remember many years ago now, talking to Rev. Do In Kim about the possibility of his Korean New Church Development nesting with the church where I was serving. We spent some time reflecting on all the difficulties and details of how to make that work – two very different cultures and communities sharing space at much of the same time. Just as I was beginning to feel frustrated, he asked, “Joe, what do you think the Kingdom of Heaven is going to be like?”

I could picture people who looked a lot like me, and people who I knew and loved. And I could picture people who looked a lot different than me – and who sounded different. (Like the Korean and Mexican churches I’ve attended, and even the Pentecostals down the street).  And then, I thought about the God who I know in Jesus… and I had to imagine there would be people who I’d never expect… people who believe very differently from me and who think differently… And somehow, we would sit at the table together. 

It’s a beautiful vision. Do In reminded me, every week we pray: Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…. Every week we pray this….

It is a beautiful vision. A vision that God set before us long ago. A vision that Jesus affirmed when he taught us to love our neighbors and when prayed that we would live as one (John 17).  

My prayer today is that you and I would find ways even now, to live into this vision.

Let us pray: We recognize, O God, that there are some powerful forces at work in this world seeking to divide us. Empower us to be the kind of people who build bridges and who show forth your love, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

It is no secret that I have a passion for encouraging people to base their lives on gratitude. Paul put it like this, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18a).

Let me point out that Paul didn’t say to give thanks ‘for” all circumstances. Obviously, we don’t give thanks for cancer or heart attacks, arthritis or blindness, Alzheimer’s or terrorist attacks. But we can give thanks “in” all circumstances because God is with us, come what may. And when we realize that and embrace that, and reach out to God in faith, he will give us strength and see us through. We can count on that. And that is cause for great thanksgiving. 

There is an old legend that tells about a man who came one day to the barn where Satan stores the seeds that he scatters across the earth. The man noticed that the two most abundant seeds in the barn were the seeds of bitterness and discouragement. He asked Satan about those seeds. “Oh, yes,” came the reply, “bitterness and discouragement; they are, without question, my most effective seeds. Why these seeds will grow almost anywhere.” 

Then, with a solemn look on his face, Satan said, “However, there is one place where the seeds of bitterness and discouragement will not grow.” “Oh?” said the man, “and where is that?” Satan answered, “They will not grow in a heart of gratitude.” 

Let us pray: God of love, we come to you with hearts full of love, souls full of trust, and minds full of thanksgiving. Your lovingkindness is as far-reaching as the stars, your care for us as deep as the sea. Help us to turn with childlike trust. Open our eyes to the wonders of Your Word and send us on our way with hope and courage. Watch over those traveling. Teach us that we never journey beyond your loving-care. Through the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.