| PENTECOST II June 2, 2024 “Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God” If God is for us, who is against us? Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31b, 35, 37-39) A few days ago, I was wondering what I might possibly use for this week’s devotional theme, and my answer came via the U.S. Postal Service! A letter arrived from a dear friend, a retired Lutheran pastor, whose life and ministry has touched me in many ways. Kay had joined the Peace Corps following college, taught high school English upon returning home, and when our Lutheran seminaries were opened to women students, she was a member of the first class of women graduates to be ordained into ministry of the LCA. Her letter was a remembrance of Dr. E. Stanley Jones, a missionary who worked primarily in India, but whose influence and teaching was far-reaching and long-lasting. His teachings, writings, and ability to bring people together despite their differences, influenced governments and individuals in far-reaching ways. Kay had met Dr. Jones through a former senior pastor, and later was invited to be part of a study-tour group to the Middle East. They were going to attend a “Christian Ashram” in Jerusalem, and Dr. Jones was to be the keynote speaker. I learned an ashram is a type of retreat, a means of drawing people together for several days to study their own spiritual natures, and also to gain knowledge and insight about faiths other than Christianity. This is what she wrote in her letter: Prior to E. Stanley Jones’ visit to Jerusalem, however, he had experienced several strokes, leaving him partially paralyzed and in need of wheelchair assistance. When they first wheeled him to the lectern the hundreds gathered were so quiet one could hear a pin drop. With his crippled body and twisted neck, he slowly and painfully leaned forward. His voice was quiet yet powerful. These were the words he spoke: “NOTHING HAS CHANGED — JESUS CHRIST IS STILL LORD!” He spoke again: “JESUS IS STILL LORD — NO MATTER WHAT . . .” In spite of so many obstacles, Dr. Jones spoke to us for over an hour — from his heart, without a note. No matter if we are prevented from walking, or speaking, or becoming recognized at all in the world — no matter if we lose our sight, hearing, limbs or memory — no matter what may happen to our bodies or in our world — JESUS IS STILL LORD!!! That day, E. Stanley Jones spoke to the “world” represented in that place and reminded us that in spite of the changes that occur in our bodies or in our world — nothing — NOTHING — in all creation can separate us from the love of God shown in Christ Jesus — NOTHING! Kay has some serious health issues, but her spirit is still strong and lively. She closed as follows: I am reminded over and over again to never lose heart and purpose because . . . NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO US OR AROUND US — JESUS CHRIST IS STILL LORD! And NOTHING can change that! AMEN. And so, as we hear of disasters, wars, conflicts and suffering here at home and around the world, or deal with worries and problems in our personal lives, we remember these words from the Letter to the Hebrews: Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So, we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:5b, 6, 8) Thanks be to God for his everlasting goodness and love, Your friend in Christ, Mary Rogers |
Weekly Devotions June 2,2024
2024-06-03