Devotion • January 27
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 11:8–16
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old — and Sarah herself was barren — because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. (NRSV)
Reflection
From a distance, I see a vision.
One where everybody, every body, is valued.
One where death is not handed out lightly, whether by bombs or neglect or decree.
Where the world’s full flourishing is the goal.
A dream of life as it could be.
It’s clear this is a vision we will not see in our lifetimes.
There are so many ways not to feel at home.
When by way of our bodies or our birth we are not reckoned as full citizens. Or may be by law — barely — but not in practice.
When so many have been displaced, in their own lives, or in those of their ancestors.
When the gap between what we believe and how we exist is too wide.
And there are those, having been given the promise through body or birth, nonetheless renounce it, knowing this death-dealing culture is not their homeland, is no one’s homeland, the borders drawn ever tighter and tighter.
They seek a better homeland.
We recognize ourselves as strangers and foreigners in this land.
A few weeks ago, in his devotion, Matt Helms quoted Ken Untener: “The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision.”
How, then, do we go on, not knowing where we are going? Or how to get there?
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson writes in Rehearsals for Living, “[M]y ancestors got up and built life, every day, no matter what. They built life even if it only lasted for a fraction of a second. ... They built it anyway.”
We look forward. To whatever it is that keeps our spark lit and our star burning before us, leading us on. We look to life. And we keep going.
Prayer
God of all things, give us vision to see your promise, strength to keep moving, courage to keep reaching out, and the grace to rest along the way. Amen.
Written by Simon Crow, Program Manager, Discipleship and Small Group Ministry
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email
YouTube
Podcasts
/fourthchurch
#fourthchurch
#fourthchurch
@fourthchicago