Fields United Methodist Church

Day 17.  Take Time to Be Holy

April 13, 2020

“Jesus said to them again, ‘peace be with you.’ As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  John 20:21

Read: John 20:1-29

During this time of sheltering in place and self-quarantining due to the pandemic, it seems like delivery people or even neighbors ring the doorbell, drop something off and just leave. Certainly under our present circumstances it makes sense not to hang around in order to provide adequate social distancing. Sometimes though, we are just scared to open the door, much less hang around to see if anyone is home to open the door for us.  On the very first evening after Mary found Jesus’ tomb empty and the resurrected Jesus met her in the garden, the disciples were scared, barred the door of their house and maybe their heart at the same time. Nobody wants to be hurt again, as the Rolling Stones sang, “once bitten, twice shy.” They thought Jesus was going to be there for them and until Jesus passed through the bolted door and offered them peace, they were afraid of their own shadow.  Jesus did not give up on them, and will not give up on you. Jesus offers peace, not as the world gives but as only God can give. No matter how many barriers you may erect, no matter the trouble you may have caused for yourself, no matter of the visitation limitations, setbacks, losses, or social distance requirements, Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you, never… To live from the perspective of the resurrection means to know you are loved far too much by Jesus, our resurrected Savior, to ever let you go. Jesus is God’s eternal promise to you.  Lock as many doors as you want, the peace of Christ will always find you. As I write this there is a sign on a shelf in front of me that says “God always shows up;” and God always does. As Psalm 27 proclaims, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage: wait for the Lord.” Accept the peace of our resurrected Savior.

Where have you sensed the presence of God in the most unexpected places?

How has God reminded you of God’s “presence”?

How are taking time to be holy today?

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for seeking me out and offering your peace, no matter where I am; help me to fully understand the gift of your peace so I can share the same peace with somebody else.  Amen