“… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

“Where do we find words to move others when we feel tired, uninspired, unsure? What do we do when it feels like something is a “lost cause”? Well, there’s good news here. Sharing the story of Jesus isn’t our cause, it’s God’s. It’s a message we bring to others as a gift, a message that can change the course of a day or a life. And God is known for saving what we would call “lost causes.” Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Why Have You Lost Your Cause? Because….

One of the symptoms of Covid is an extended period of exhaustion. Even people who have “recovered” from Covid have occasional periods of exhaustion that come and go with no real explanation. To me this feels as if it carries a clause of double-indemnity – you suffer twice for one disease.

Too many people today feel as if they have lost hope, lost faith, and lost their way. And that is understandable since our world has seemed to stop turning – at least temporarily – and we all feel like a lost cause. But there is good news. Jesus makes you and I worthy of being loved by G-d – Jesus’ love and acceptance should renew our faith, our hope and our trust, as well as our pathway. As such taking G-d’s cause to the world suddenly becomes our purpose, our cause – because the cross of Jesus matters so much to this broken world.

If you need renewed purpose in this life, look no further than Isaiah 55:

“…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Let us pray,

Our Lord of lost causes, we need a purpose some days, because our world seems to take away our energy. Sometimes we feel blank! Help me to share your timeless message of love, service, and truth. Let my banner point the way to you. Amen.

Pastor Dave

“Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

“The apostle Paul did a lot to spread the story of Jesus, but he wasn’t a powerful or perfect person. He had weaknesses and faults just like the rest of us. He relied on God and others to live. He never could have done what he did on his own. That made it all the more clear that the great things he accomplished only happened because of God’s power working in him. God’s power can be at work in someone who is weak, imperfect, and messed up-someone like us.”  Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Will You Pull Out This Thorn?

When you look at the Bible and those whom G-d chose to be his mouthpieces, the list is full of people who had “thorns in the flesh.” Paul of course comes to mind, as well as John the Baptist, Moses, Peter and Thomas. All were flawed people who struggled with understanding, with speaking, with past sins, and with preconceptions. Yet these were the people G-d chose, nonetheless. G-d did not choose the most powerful and influential, instead G-d chose those who were the weakest, most imperfect, and most flawed – in other words, G-d chose people just like us.

What is your thorn in the flesh? What is it that keeps you from realizing that G-d loves you just as you are – and G-d will use you just as you are. You are perfect to G-d. You do not need to pull out any thorns. Now is the time to invite G-d’s love into your life.

Let us pray,

God who informs and fills, who giveth and taketh away, I am weak, but you are strong. Fill me with your love. Help me to remember that I can depend on you. Then, startle me with your power. Amen.

Pastor Dave