Everyone is reevaluating their priorities. With all the upheaval in society, we have to ask, “What matters most?”
For us, Jesus Christ is the paramount priority. Our first desire is to know and be known by him. “To live is Christ . . .” Paul says (Phil. 1:21). In a time of resignation and reluctance, we enter a season of Recommitment in November.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Jesus, you said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). I know, and you know better, that my love for you has faltered. My heart and soul are bent toward self. My mind is easily distracted and my strength fails. But I know you are gracious. Forgive me. Show me loving kindness. Reform my heart and soul, mind and strength, that I may be fully devoted to you. Amen.
Word: John 12:24-25
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
Meditation
I heard a story about some Christian missionaries in Afghanistan. They didn’t get out when the Taliban took over. In fact, they chose to stay. Can you imagine being a Christian in Afghanistan today? Let alone a Christian missionary. And there was a quote from a missionary that haunts and humbles me. They said, “We expect to see Jesus face to face in the next two weeks.” That was in September. I don’t know where they are today.
I praise God for the place in which I live, that my life is not threatened by my confession of faith. I am humbled by those who make this confession and suffer for it. My situation is cozy by comparison. My perspective is narrowed and I ask, “How can I not take risks for my Lord?”
This reminds me of one of the questions in our traditional Rite of Confirmation:
“Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?”
I do, by the grace of God.
What does this kind of commitment look like in America? When our lives aren’t threatened, how can we still live with a commitment to “suffer all, even death?”
My commitment waivers. Yours probably does too. But I can’t look away from the Nazarene carpenter. I don’t question his commitment, for Jesus was devoted to me even unto death. He gave his life as a ransom for many. So I will go with him, wherever he leads, even unto death.
We pray: Lord, I am humbled at the foot of the cross. You gave all that I might live. I ask for your mercy upon brothers and sisters who suffer for your Name. Strengthen their voices even in the face of death. If there is some little way that I might bear their pain with them, show me. For you are my all in all. Amen.
Prayer
O God, I commit to you this day my soul, my body, and all my ways, deeds, and purposes. I pray you to open my heart and mouth, that I may praise your name. Your name is above all names. Grant that my life may be to your honor, and that I may serve you in love. Amen.
Benediction
May the love of Jesus draw us to himself;
May the power of Jesus strengthen us in his service;
May the joy of Jesus fill our souls;
May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon us always. Amen.