We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 31, 2017.
Prayer: God, may we live in the good of the grace you give us each and every day. Amen. Reading: Isaiah 58:1-12 (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? Reflection: To review, this week our scripture readings all deal with three words—salt, light, and grace. This passage, I think, speaks to us most about God’s grace and light. In verses 3-7, the writer of Isaiah is reminding us that we can try to do all we can to be good to people, to serve God, and to follow Christian practices. But we all fall short, because we are all sinners. What saves us? God’s abundant grace. Thanks be to God! We even seen “light” images in verses 8 and following. To me, this reminds us that because of the grace that showers down from God, we need to go out and let our light shine. I’ve been reading a book by Kelly Fryer called “Reclaiming the ‘L’ Word.” Her thesis is that Lutherans need to not be ashamed of the word Lutheran because we have some pretty solid theology. But she does contend that one thing we need to do is to live in the good of God’s grace and go out and do God’s work. It’s not just the work of the pastor, but of the people. As we ponder these images of salt, light, and grace this week, what are ways that you will let your light shine brighter as you live in the good of the grace God gives you? --Chad Hershberger
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