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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Wednesday, February. 11, 2004 GATHERING |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004, by Penny Risen
Bible text:
Acts 20: 1-38
There they stand, smiling: The ones leaving grip wrapped leftovers and nod thank yous; the ones staying extend a hand or reach out for a farewell hug. On and on, inch by inch the visitors and hosts move while saying good-byes, slowly oozing their way out the door, chatting on the porch, now stepping down the driveway, where they stand in twilight by the car with doors swung open. Somebody make it stop!
Writer Garrison Keillor, consummate storyteller and archivist of the Minnesota Lutheran lifestyle, sings this funny, winsome song of the "long goodbye." Tender slices of life are often poked fun at on "A Prairie Home Companion" on public radio, and this song in Keillor's breathy tenor makes me laugh out loud in recognition. After a gathering of family or friends, who among us hasn't done this exact same thing? We know that the visit is over and good-byes must be said, but we can't bring ourselves to part ways, to call an end to the time spent together. So we talk and sigh and linger --- until the engine starts and the car pulls into the street, taking our loved ones away. Missing them even before they leave somehow seems curiously fitting and a good thing.
The song reminds me of Paul's farewell to his new Christian followers, as an expression of people who had been through so much together and would miss each other terribly. As we read in Acts 20: 17, Paul was "captive to the Spirit" and ready to leave for Jerusalem. He already suspected his fate: He would not see these people again face to face. He shaped his farewell message in this final gathering as a loving one, yet realistic and hopeful.
Paul feared that "savage wolves" would come among his flock of believers after he left. He warned them that theirs wouldn't be an easy road as Christ's missionaries. This apostle knew all about persecution --- from the point of view of Saul who'd inflicted punishment on Christians, and from the point of view of Paul who rejoiced as his task as preacher and witness.
Paul also gave them words of encouragement and advice in parting: Stick together, gain strength from each other and support the weak. It was the gathering, not the parting, which Paul emphasized to them. "Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that He obtained with the blood of His own Son," he asked. He knew that the future of the church depended on countless small gatherings like the one he was leaving, not just strong leaders and evangelists to hold them together.
"...And now I commend you to God and to the message of His grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified," Paul closed, before weeping and praying with them.
On their final night together, Jesus also had spoken to His disciples in parting. He assured them that their strength and comfort was in each other, in gathering together to worship, pray and break bread when He was no longer with them (John 13 and 14).
Why not look around in church on Sunday, and remember how fortunate we are to renew ourselves in the Spirit as we gather together as Christians. Perhaps we'll find ourselves repeating a ritual "long goodbye" as we leave.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to remember your promise, that "Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, I am with you." Thank you for my brothers and sisters in faith. Help me to carry on your work, and lift me up when I fall short. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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