Blindsided By God
Sunday, April 20
Luke 24:1-12
Kristine Lackowski
Covenant Church of Easton
Connecticut
The women went to the tomb with intentions of embalming the body of Jesus. They had prepared in advance, gathering, formulating, and combining the spices for the perfect burial. But when they arrived, they were confused to find his body was gone. They had been blindsided by God’s plan.
How often, I too, feel blindsided by God’s plan that looks much different from my own. My plans are usually thought out at length, perfected, and exactly what I think is best. But God’s love for me is so great that God does not settle for my imperfect plan. The women came to the tomb to prepare for burial. They had no idea that the plan God had was far greater. God’s plan impacted not only them, but also the apostles and all of humanity.
May we seek involvement from God in our plans, trust when God’s intent appears different from ours, and walk in faith knowing God wants what is best for us.
God, may we trust in your great love and all the plans you have for us! Amen.
Peace In The Darkness
Monday, April 21
John 20:11-18
Meghan Dray
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
Total darkness. It is what keeps sorrow. It is what grief can feel like. When we are experiencing darkness, it feels impossible to see beyond it. Have you ever shouted out to God in frustration, “Where ARE you?” And there is silence. There is no Hollywood-worthy thunderclap from the sky. But if you sit in the stillness, have you heard him? Have you felt that deep peace wash over you?
Just as Jesus called out, “Mary,” he calls us directly by name too. Sometimes we ignore that voice, don’t we? It is so easy to hold tightly to our hurt, our sorrow, and our anger. But Jesus will keep calling us, because he loves us more than we can imagine. That strong, steady love calls us by name and assures us that he has not abandoned us. Like Mary, we can be so overcome by our grief that we don’t see Jesus right in front of us. But Jesus is here now. He is with us always, even in the darkest of times.
Jesus, open our ears so that we can hear you calling us by name. Give us peace. Amen.
Their Eyes Were Opened
Tuesday, April 22
Luke 24:13-35
Linda Matthew
Bethany Covenant Church
Berlin, Connecticut
“Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (v. 27, NIV).
I wish there were a recording of this conversation! I envision two friends walking together and discussing their sadness—and then Christ appears in their midst, meeting them on their walk and at their table. He asks them to tell him their sorrows, teaches them to search out the Scriptures, and joins them to share a meal. And their eyes were opened, and his words made their hearts burn within them. Immediately they went to share their experience with others.
Lord, may I present my daily thoughts and struggles before you. May I search your Scriptures to hear your voice and share with those around me what you have done. Amen.
Give Thanks
Wednesday, April 23
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Nan Lingenfelter
Evangelical Covenant Church
Springfield, Massachusetts
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (v. 1, NIV).
Life is not smooth for anyone, yet within the joys and heartaches of daily life, we can fix our minds to recognize that God is our strength. We can see God’s mighty hand, not only in miracles of parting seas but in divining in our minds what is important. What could be mightier than when our hearts become forgiving to someone who has hurt us deeply? What could be more joyful and victorious than when we acknowledge we have a problem and seek help? We accept God’s chastening because we love and desire to open the gates for others to enter God’s presence.
We give thanks because God has answered our prayer for salvation. We give thanks for our daily lives and the opportunity to love those around us. We rejoice today and are glad because God’s spirit of love has been lavished upon us.
Lord, help us to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances. Amen.
All And Everyone
Thursday, April 24
Acts 10:34-43
Lisa Sundell Olsen
Bethany Covenant Church
Berlin, Connecticut
Belonging. What a beautiful word. We all want to belong, to be included. At every age and stage of life, we find comfort and joy in the places and groups where we are welcomed, where we fit in and are accepted.
In today’s passage, we see Peter preaching, “He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen” (v. 41, NIV). My heart breaks for those who were alive then who heard about Jesus’s return but didn’t get to see, hear, or touch him.
Verse 40 begins with the words “but God” (two most precious words in Scripture!), concluding a section that reminds us Jesus is Lord of all and shows no favoritism. Yay for the Gentiles (those with no Jewish heritage) who are welcomed into the family of God from this point on—that includes us!
Today’s text closes with good news, saying: “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (v. 43). There we have it; we are all chosen to be included in the salvation story and everyone who believes is forgiven. Praise you, God!
Thank you, Lord, for including me. I can know I belong. Amen.
Not All His Children Are Scholars
Friday, April 25
1 Corinthians 1:19-26
Gabriella Crosby
Evangelical Covenant Church
Springfield, Massachusetts
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent” (v. 19, CSB).
This is wonderful news. We do not have to be the smartest, the most perfect or spiritually adept. For even “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength” (v. 25). God knows we are flawed. We will never measure up to God. God will meet us where we are, differences and all, and he chooses to love us deeply and unconditionally. There is no special class of humans that gets first dibs in heaven. All are loved by God. It is a waste of time to even compare ourselves to others because God has already accepted each of us just as we are and declares each one his child. Perfect just the way God made you. Never let anyone make you feel inferior, for God’s is the only acceptance we need. Praise be to God.
Lord, help me to rest in my identity as your child. Amen.
God’s Eternal Love
Saturday, April 26
Isaiah 65:17-25
Bonnie Sullivan
Christ Church
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
What a vision God creates through Isaiah! We see God’s heart aching for God’s people. God promises a future where all sources of pain will disappear. This beautiful vision follows a passage where God calls out those who choose not to live in faith and obedience. Those who pursue their willful self-reliance and unkindness to each other will miss out on the new heavens and new earth.
This prophetic scenario is echoed in the Gospel of John: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11-12, NIV). Here is God, still offering everything with his whole heart, even sending Jesus to demonstrate an incredible new covenant.
Father God, thank you for your eternal love! As we go about our days, let us be reminded that your love for us is based not upon our performance but on your grace. Amen.
