Home
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4
Since the pandemic began in March of 2020, there was a movement for people to leave some Christmas lights on at night as a sign of hope. We always leave our Moravian Star up through the Season of Epiphany, so we just left it up, and it has been lit every night since March 2020.
Funny thing happened one night, we noticed a bird had taken to one of the rays of light for a place to rest each night. I managed to snap this picture quietly so as not to disturb our bird buddy. Most nights it is there. Some nights not, and if he is absent we pray our friend is okay.
For us, there is a sense of joy that in this crazy and uncertain world. In this world where gentle rest is a desire that is elusive, our light provides peace, protection, and quiet sanctuary for one of God’s creations. And this light serves as a reminder of God’s light and God’s love shining in a weary world.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus is spelling out for the disciples what is to be for him and for humanity. God’s light and God’s love will shine. It will shine in darkness, it will shine in the face of cruelty, it will shine and it will give hope. God’s light and God’s love will provide a home. A safe and protected place from a world that is loud, crude, and divided. With a faith in Jesus, we know we will always have a home. In seasons such as this, we need that hope like a light in the darkness.
And so gentle reader, I pray this devotion finds you well and safe today. I pray that you are a witness to God’s light and love. If you are having challenges or facing uncertainty or illness or even attacks, please know you are being prayed for! Seek God’s home through prayer and through faith. God is with us even in the dark. His LIGHT shines and gives us a home.
PRAYER: Gracious and loving God, thank you for hearing our prayers today. Sometimes Lord the world is a scary place. Sometimes the battle is too great. Sometimes we just want a safe place to rest. Grant us your rest, grant us your peace, grant us shelter in your home. Amen.
