Connected > Productive

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

SUNDAY, April 28
John 15:1-8

Jesus, our good Teacher, is using the tool of repetition in this passage. Notice how many times he uses the word “remain” or “abide” (highlight it if you’re feeling adventurous!). Eight times Jesus tells us the key to fruitfulness: remaining. Not achieving or producing—just remaining connected to the Vine.

I noticed recently that when my husband and I debrief our days, we gauge whether or not it’s been a good day by how productive we are. I’ve been trying to reframe this. Instead of productivity being the goal, what if connectedness was my goal? Connected to God, myself, others. Taking this passage to heart shows us that the way of Jesus is that we remain. Only from this place of being connected to the true Vine can we bear fruit.

Gardener, I long to remain connected to you. Prune me as you see fit so that I may bear much fruit. AMEN.

PRAYER FOCUS: PRAISE GOD  IN ALL THINGS

All You Need Is Love

MONDAY, April 29
1 John 4:7-12

Love is a word we use a lot both inside and outside of the church, so much that it can become a little nebulous and cause us to question what it really means to love and be loved.

This passage is clarifying. It tells us the order of love: God loved us first and our love for God is in response. It tells us the epitome of love: Jesus. He is the clearest display of the lavish love God has for humanity. It tells us the effect of God’s love: We are transformed into loving people.

“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (v. 12, NIV).

Think of a time you witnessed an act of pure, Christian love. I think of looking out of my office window on a Sunday morning to see my dad shoveling snow and tenderly helping elderly women from their cars into church. Even though we have not seen God, we have seen God at work in the world through Christian love.

(Inhale) I am the beloved of God. (Exhale) Empower me to love others. Amen.

The Antidote to Fear

TUESDAY, April 30
1 John 4:13-21

I am grateful to have a wonderful Christian therapist. I began seeing him during my sabbatical last summer and have continued, finding healing and growth in my work with him. I often bring to him issues in my life that are causing anxiety, frustration, and exhaustion. I think that venting and having him validate my feelings will make all the negative emotions go away. While he listens compassionately, he also wisely invites me to go deeper by asking the question, What are you afraid of in this situation?

Fear lurks below the surface. It’s pervasive and disruptive. It hijacks our ability to love and be loved. Yet the antidote is available: “Perfect love drives out fear” (v. 18). By taking the extra step to reflect on what we’re fearful of, we are able to bring our fears into the light and allow them to be touched by the love of Jesus. This passage reminds us that Jesus, who is perfect love, is actively at work in our lives. He is driving out fear to make room for love.

Jesus, I invite you into the dark places of fear in my life. Would you drive out the fear and replace it with your love? AMEN.

PRAYER FOCUS: THOSE WHO ARE LONELY

Organic Discipleship

WEDNESDAY, May 1
Acts 8:26-31

This story is such a wonderful example of organic, relational discipleship. Philip listens to the Spirit, asks a clarifying question, and is then invited by the Ethiopian man to explain the Scriptures. One summer, my mom and I initiated a Bible study with our next-door neighbor. Seeing my journal on the table, she asked, “What do you write in there?” I showed her an entry where I had written out a couple verses that were resonating with me, interacted with the verses and wrote down a few questions, then finished by writing out a prayer. The next time we met, I noticed that she had been journaling using my simple format. Like the Ethiopian man, she was eager to grow and learn, but needed a guide. Is there an area of your discipleship that could use a guide? Consider asking someone to mentor you. Is someone in your life seeking guidance? Allow the Spirit to guide, ask clarifying questions, and guide where invited.

Holy Spirit, thank you for the opportunities you give me to participate in organic, relational discipleship. Give me courage to follow your prompting, wisdom to know which questions to ask, and the patience to wait to be invited in. Amen.

Remember Your Baptism

THURSDAY, May 2
Acts 8:32-40

Being around new Christians energizes me. They often exude peace, curiosity, fervor. They remind me of the early days of my faith journey. I grew up in the church and had a wonderful, nurturing church family. However, things really started to click for me in high school. I was baptized, active in youth group, and had a trajectory-shifting experience at a youth conference (CHIC ‘06). Like the man in today’s passage, I went on my way rejoicing! (v. 39). It’s not uncommon that during a baptism service, the congregation is invited to come forward and dip their hands in the baptismal waters. It is a reminder of their own baptism and that the same God who gave them peace, curiosity, and fervor at the time of their baptism will sustain them on their journey today. We can be confident of this: “That he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV).

God, thank you for drawing me to yourself. Give me peace, curiosity, and fervor as I journey with you today. AMEN.

PRAYER FOCUS: RESPECT FOR PEOPLE ALL RACES AND ETHNICITIES 

Surprise!

FRIDAY, May 3
Acts 10:44-48

My dad was baptized when I was in elementary school. I can remember it like it was yesterday. He was wearing a white t-shirt tucked into light blue Levi jeans (it was the ‘90s after all). I was sitting with my mom and sister close to the front of the church. When my dad came up from the baptismal waters, he stood with his arms up and said loudly, “He is risen!” And the whole church spontaneously said, “He is risen indeed!”

It was quite the scene as my dad is a man of few words. His was not a theatrical act—it was a genuine outburst of joy. The Spirit’s presence was palpable. Sometimes the Holy Spirit works in surprising ways! We have received the same Spirit as the early church in Acts. He is eager to work in creative, memorable ways in our lives and churches. Are we attuned to his movement? Are we willing to respond in ways that are out of our comfort zone?

Holy Spirit, work in and through us in creative, renewing ways. Amen.

Overcoming the World

SATURDAY, May 4
1 John 5:1-8

Recently I was teaching our membership class, and we were talking about the Covenant Affirmation “We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the Church.” A gentleman raised his hand and said, “Too bad we don’t do it!” He lamented about how hard it feels to live out the Great Commission and the Great Commandment in our world today.

Isn’t it true that the commands of Jesus can feel burdensome? What a needed reminder this passage offers: Jesus has overcome the world. And, in him, so have we. We live out the commands of Jesus knowing what happens on the last page of the story: He is victorious. May this reminder lighten our load as we seek to be an agent of love in this world, looking forward with anticipation to the day when Jesus comes again to remove all of our burdens once and for all. Imagine that you are carrying a heavy backpack. What is burdening you today? As you name your burdens, take them out of the backpack and place them in Jesus’s backpack.

Victorious One, I acknowledge today that you are strong enough to carry my burdens. AMEN.

PRAYER FOCUS: VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF ABUSE