Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
MONDAY, August 9
John 3:1-21. How can anyone be born after having grown old?
Is it possible for you and me to be transformed for the better? Can we observe change? If you spend any time serving the needs of people, and especially needy persons, persons with chronic problems, you develop a sort of reticence, even pessimism about their ability to change.
The Lord envisioned character change, just as changes in society, coming through crisis, and the shaking of foundations. Change is created through the unasked for devastation of loss and rejection.
One way of saying this is that people never change and people can always change. Both sides are true. I am like a block of steel most of the time—my flaws and givens are stiff and solid. But crisis and tragedy can change the steel to jelly, and I become as pliable as a living thing could possibly be.
We are set in concrete as the result of our psycho-genetic inwardness which scripture names sin. At the same time, we are soft and churning soil waiting for the seed of love to be planted and to create a copious tree, shading the world and lending strength to the weak. (1993)
PRAY for the Anglican Indigenous Network (AIN), The Diocese of Exeter (Canterbury, England)
Ps 89:1-18 * 89:19-52; Judges 12:1-7; Acts 5:12-26
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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