MARVELOUS MIRACLES
Have you ever imagined what it
must be like to race a bobsled on
an ice-covered track or
gracefully leap, then twirl, while on a
pair of skates to cheers of the crowd?
We can make believe what it must
be like to be the toughest on the
hockey rink or somersaulting
in the air while on a snowboard.
Such acts are dizzying indeed!
How mesmerizing it is to
observe one incredible feat after
another as this year’s winter
Olympic athletes show off the
potential of the human body.
I like to picture Jesus placing
a gold, silver, or bronze medal
about our necks when time and
again we refrain from vengeance
when hurt and demonstrate
unmerited kindness and love.
There are times that the depth of
forgiveness seems practically
impossible and I cannot grasp how
the people’s lives were put back
together again. Is this less a miracle
than scoring the winning hockey goal?
Dear one, what marvels will God
initiate in your phenomenal life
this moment in time and space?
What will the response be to
respond in Spirit’s Compassionate Love?
Luke 6: 27-38
(The Message)
27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously.
31-34 “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
35-36 “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
The Golden Rule
This scripture from Luke includes the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is the version I learned in Sunday School as a child. It has no less meaning today than it did back then. Now it is easy to see that if individuals live by this rule that Jesus gave the people of his time, the world could be transformed for the better.
Receiving the Valentine postcard in the mail was a delight! “Whoooo loves you? Your Saint Paul family loves you.” More than being fun to receive something other than address labels and bills in the mail, it makes me feel good to be reminded that our church is like a family. We welcome, accept, and forgive one another. Through prayer, we are connected as sisters and brothers in Christ to a God that loves us more than we can imagine.
Open your hearts and allow God to love you,
Marta
Rev. Marta Wheeler
To view or download a PDF version of this devotional, click here: Devotional MW 2022-02-16