For All Your Saints, O Lord, ELW 427, v. 1+2
Devotion
Yesterday’s devotion, as posited by David Tiede on Working Preacher, described the majestic power of a God who conquers death and cares for the faithful saints who have gone before us. Yet God’s reign continues in you and me as in Christ we are being transformed. Though we remain fully, imperfectly human, we are filled with promise and able to do amazing acts of love and mercy because of the power of God at work in us.
Think for a moment of the transformations you may have witnessed: an alcoholic who is able to stay sober; an infertile couple who become surrogate aunts and uncle; the abused woman who gradually regains her strength and confidence. They’re amazing stories. But through baptism we each experience the greatest transformation of all: from sinner to saint. Through Jesus we claim our identity as blessed, holy, beloved children of God – not just upon our death, but here and now. That is truly a miracle.
Prayer
With hope and grateful hearts we lift up those who have lived and died in you, O Lord, and we give thanks that you continue to transform us today. Amen.