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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Friday, July 11, 2003 "The Unknown" |
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Frontline Devotion for Friday, July 11, 2003 By Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
When you think of people who took a leap of faith into the unknown, whom do you think of? Perhaps, some will think of the great explorers like Lewis and Clark. Some will think of missionaries or people who started congregations from scratch. Some will think of people who left high powered jobs with security for uncertain, yet new and exciting ventures. I give a lot of credit to people who take a leap of faith into the unknown. They seem to possess something that drives them forward and overcome the fear of the unknown.
Life is full of unknowns. One of the greatest and scariest unknowns is the ones we encounter in daily life. I think one of the things we face on an ongoing basis are people in our life who encounter major challenges and trials. You know what I mean. All of a sudden someone whose life is moving along in a pleasant manner encounters a major crisis. Maybe it’s a health crisis. Maybe it’s depression or some kind of anxiety. Maybe someone has a death or a tragedy that affects them. Maybe something happens which puts someone in a state of “numbness”.
When people in our life are encountered with challenges like these, we often face the unknown- namely, “how can we help them?”. Sometimes we are at a loss for words. Sometimes we feel like we must say something profound, but if we can’t think of something we choose not to say anything at all. Sometimes we become anxious and uncomfortable, which makes it hard to be a “non-anxious” presence for the other. But, when push comes to shove, I believe that Christian care happens when we say- “I don’t have to be perfect to help.” Going into the unknown in caregiving is being willing to say, “God, I don’t have a good idea of what to say or do. I don’t know what I can do to help, but I will go. I will go and be with this other person- trusting that you will somehow help me.”
My experiences in ministry continue to remind me that profound outreach occurs all around me, when faithful people acknowledge that they don’t need to be an expert to show God’s care in difficult circumstances. What faithful people show me over and over is that they trust God will give them what they need to extend his care. Head into the unknown when you find people in distress. Go to them, even if you aren’t 100% sure what to say. Ask God for the words to speak and the actions to exemplify. God is a provider. He provides for you, his instrument, so that you can proclaim hope to others.
Prayer: Lord God, there are a lot of unknowns in life. We encounter people who face difficulties and it’s sometimes hard to know what to do. Instead of saying nothing or doing nothing, help us to trust that you will provide us with guidance and wisdom. Help us to venture into the “unknown”- trusting that your guiding Spirit is always with us. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org.