Daily Devotion for May 3, 2020

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)

Are you tired of physical distancing and staying at home yet?  There comes a time when this separation period becomes a true test of our faith.  Too much time together, too many days at home, too much proximity to the refrigerator with too little energy to exercise can begin to wear a person down. There is only so much television a person can actually watch.  Our brother John Wesley advised “moderation in all things,” so too much of anything can become bad.  The longer the COVID-19 virus remains, the harder it will be to accept our current reality with grace.

I want to encourage us all to stay strong in our commitment to do what is right for the common good.  While many media outlets and politicians’ debate if we may safely return to our “normal” duties, many health care professionals are talking in terms of many months before we will safely be able to reengage.  To become too impatient and to push too fast to end “stay-at-home” could be devastating and even deadly to many. 

So, I will tell you what you might expect to hear from a bishop – attend to your spirit.  As we move quickly toward Pentecost and the celebration of the birthday of the church, let us be reminded of the “Acts church,” where many gathered to listen to the teachings of the Apostle’s and to pray.  We may not be able to gather for fellowship in person, but we can gather by phone or computer.  We may break bread at home, alone or with others, and we can do all with a devotional heart and mind.  God is with us!  What a gift we have to spend more time with God in Christ and in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:  Come Lord Jesus, help us feel your presence.  When we lose patience, get anxious, grow bored, and act irritably, break open our hearts and minds and fill us with grace and light and hope and peace.  Be with us each and every moment of each and every day and motivate us to share your power in our lives with others.  We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.