We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on May 18, 2013. Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.” Prayer: Write your favorite Bible verse on a piece of paper. Pray that verse today and then hang it somewhere where you are reminded of God's love for you. Reading: Proverbs 3: 5-6 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Additional Questions:
Reflection: I'm a fan of former President Gerald Ford. A few years ago, I began studying and reading more about the Watergate era. I had not had much education in that time period and was curious. The more I read and understood that scandal, the more I came to appreciate Ford. He did what he felt he needed to do when he assumed the presidency: he pardoned Richard Nixon. That was a tough and unpopular decision, but as we look back now, we know it was the right thing to do. This Bible verse was Ford's favorite. In fact, from a young age throughout this life, he prayed this verse every night. I've visited Ford's presidential museum in Michigan and this verse is display prominently in a few places in the museum. When we have something that we particularly don't want to do, it is easy to say that we are not going to do it. It is easier for us as humans not to take it head on but rather ignore it and try to "take the easy way out." Ford did not go the easy route. He did what he thought was best, even though it probably cost him re-election. Just like Ford, some friends of mine also were facing a tough task. They weren't sure how to react to it. They both decided that they wanted to act in the way that God wanted them to. They read scripture, talked to friends, and tried to weigh their options. In the end, they went through with the task and everything worked out wonderfully. The interesting thing about this situation is the one friend told me that he had a string straight up to God, trusting in God, depending on God's guidance in the matter. I thought that was a great visual. We should all have strings up to God. We should be like God's puppets. If we have a string to God and put our entire trust in God, the string will be straight and narrow and we will be led on the right path. Everything will turn out okay. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your human insight. What words to live by! --Chad Hershberger
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