John 14:15-21 (NRSV)
Read John 14:15-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Verse 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. Verse 17This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
Verse 18"I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. Verse 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. Verse 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Verse 21They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."
Devotion
Jenny was upset! The council was grappling with what they should do with a large gift given to the congregation. Various opinions were expressed. Jenny, one of the new council members, said they should use a portion of the gift to start a new ministry in their community. The majority of the council disagreed. They voted to use the money to pay upcoming expenses.
Jenny wondered if she should resign from the council and find a new church. She felt alone. As Jenny unburdened her heart to me, I recalled how I felt when my good endeavors were rejected. At one of those times a seasoned friend helped me see the situation in a new way, "The church belongs to God, not to you and me. We can't control other people; all we can do is care for them with the love of Christ."
Jesus said, "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." Doing the work of the Lord is never easy. There are all those frustrating church meetings. What should we do? Love the Lord. Struggle to do what is right. Care for our sisters and brothers with whom we tangle.
Prayer
Spirit of God, give us kind hearts, helping hands and uplifting voices to care for those with whom we do ministry. Amen.