Tag: Gospel of Matthew

Don’t Weary, Be Hoping

A devotion for all who are weary, who still strive to love, care and serve as the hands and heart of Jesus; and a message for our YMCA Childcare Services leaders who show up morning and afternoon to build character and a hoping spirit in our young school-age students.

First: thank you.

Thanks for your servant-leadership to our students and their families each morning and afternoon.

To all who invest in the spirit, mind and body of our school-age children and youth: thank you.

The following is a morning devotion written for our YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne Childcare Services Staff to start off their half-day training event.

May it be an encouragement for all who care for and serve children in our schools; even though it is a bleak winter and everyone feels stretched too far – don’t weary, be hoping.

This morning as I read through the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophet Isaiah (40:27:31) – and as I reflected on the challenging situations of our childcare leaders, Bobby McFerrin and his catchy tune got stuck in my head: Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

I wondered what it would be like to mash the two lyrics together: Don’t Weary, Be Hoping.

What do you think?

For me it grounded the chirpy sweet song in the promises of The LORD, the everlasting God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth – who sees you in your weariness, sees you caring for children, sees you striving to do good, and reminds us: the weary who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

Now that the song is stuck in your head, and as you read slowly through the poetic promise of God, if you were going to be vulnerable for a moment: what’s been making you weary?

And what would it look like for you to trust the Lord with it, to turn the complaint into hopeful expectation?

As one who cares for children, even when you’re weary, the words of Jesus can be a comfort and inspiration, helping you transform that complaint into a hopeful expectation.

And in particular his perspective on the young ones in our midst (the ones who can make us weary and cause much complaining):

Jesus has a unique take on being with children: we ought to become more like them.

Taking Jesus’ instructions to heart, for you: in their best moments, what is it about the children in your care that you want to imitate more?

As leaders we can’t escape from the complaints people make about us, and we’ll always be tempted to complain about others; but: what would we tell kids in our care if they were complaining a little too much?

As leaders, our work is about influence and responsibility, sacrifice and perseverance; but it’s also about love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness – and it’s this fruit of the Spirit that we can learn from the little children.

When you reflect on the love, joy and peace that Jesus brings to the little children in his care – and that can include you – how might that begin to transform the weariness you carry in your spirit, mind and body?

Thank you for loving, caring and serving the children and youth in your midst, thank you for your leadership and influence, your sacrifices and perseverance – especially in these wearisome times.

Thank you for being there for them, for showing up, for your humility and vulnerability, your listening ear and playful spirit; and may the Lord continually renew your strength, all you who remember: don’t weary, be hoping.

Apply today for YMCA Child Care Services before-after school: www.fwymca.org/jobs

GOD’S CHOICE & JOSEPH’S FAITH

What will you do to build a healthier spirit in these 12 days of Christmas? Join this YMCA devotion series about Jesus changing hearts and lives!

Click on the link to get started on Day 1 of 12!

“When we find ourselves in complicated and controversial situations where we lead and serve, we can be distracted by worldly conditions. But we may also be like Joseph and go early and often to God in faith and prayer.”

Chosen By God: Becoming Christ’s Holy Presents for the World // How can we be more like Jesus, whom God gave to the world to love, care and serve sacrificially? // Revisit with us 12 stories of the Lord transforming people in the Holy Land, inspired by experiences YMCA leaders recently had there. //From this we learn ways to put Christian principles into practice through Jesus “the living Stone” who handcrafts us into precious gifts of peace for all.

[an YMCA onPrinciple Devotion Series – inspired by 1Peter 2:4-5]

Written by Steve Tarver, CEO & President YMCA of Greater Louisville, Kentucky

Looking back to my travels through the rocky hills of Judea to Bethlehem, I wonder what it was like for Joseph and Mary to be somewhere out there, nearing the end of their exhausting trip. 

Unmarried, a controversial pregnancy, forced by the government to go back where their family came from, poor, alone, uncertain, maybe even scared – Mary and Joseph approached Bethlehem amidst complicated legal and moral questions.

What in the world is one to do? What would you have done if you were Joseph?

Joseph faced unwanted dilemmas: logistically – where would they stay; personally – how will he care for Mary and their soon to be born son, Jesus; ethical – what happens when the town finds out we’re not married; religious – is this what God is calling us to do? 

Where does faith fit in? I’ve faced many unwanted dilemmas in my life and career with the YMCA, not always being sure where to go for guidance and how faith fits into the complicated situation.

What did Joseph do? Did he panic or abandon those under his care in fear of what others might think of him?

If Joseph had bailed on the situation, no one would have likely even blinked given the cultural values at the time – though, for Mary, it could have had deadly consequences.

From a worldly lens, it must have seemed counter to every natural tendency he had at that time.

Only looking through the lens of faith does this have any semblance of rationality whatsoever.

Joseph received clarity based on an angel’s visit to him in a dream; he had the patience and mindfulness to listen and believe.

He chose to walk alongside pregnant Mary in love.

Accepting the clarity of the message from God, Joseph was able to serve as a righteous man.

Joseph faced unwanted dilemmas because of God’s call on his life, the magnitude of which was overwhelming, but he chose to prayerfully listen and be patient, to believe God, and walk in faith.

When we find ourselves in complicated and controversial situations where we lead and serve, we can be distracted by worldly conditions.

But we may also be like Joseph and go early and often to God in faith and prayer.

May we have the patience to seek God first in our dilemmas and, through faith, find righteousness.

modern City of Bethlehem, and the hills of the Judaean Wilderness

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Gospel according to Matthew‬, 1:20-21‬ ‭NIV

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Day Two :: Beauty is Healing and Restoration/ World YMCA Week of Prayer 2021

For over a 100 years the World YMCA has been calling its members and leaders to a week of prayer, along side the World YWCA, and this year the theme is: Beauty from Brokenness

“Although we may be easily broken, the light of Christ within us can heal brokenness and burst through, reaching out to those around us.”

Join us for a week of prayer in your heart at noon each day this week!

When we approach God with our brokenness, God offers rest, restoration and healing.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Christ Jesus, Gospel according to Matthew, 11:28-30

“The world has been shaken by the Covid-19 pandemic, in one way or another.

Many of us have been exposed to a situation that has likely left us with some degree of trauma and brokenness.

Many of us have lost either parents, friends, co-workers, siblings, or at least we know someone that has lost someone.

Some of us have been sick, most of us have been locked-in at home, and many have even lost their jobs and businesses.

Many women, young girls and children have suffered abuse. Isolation has affected the mental health of many.

Our relationships with our loved ones may have been broken by the lockdown situation.

The pandemic has prevented us from gathering with family and friends.

Strict lock- down restrictions have prevented many from going to our places of worship.

We have been broken financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

No form of brokenness is worse than another.

God wants to restore, heal and carry our troubles. Jesus comforts us….”

REFLECTION POINTS

When facing different problems, who is the first person you go to, to seek a solution?

Now that you learned that God is omnipresent and seeks to help you, how does it impact your relationship with God ?

Are you currently struggling with something where you feel broken? (You may wish to share this with God in prayer).

Do you have any stories that you can share of God healing your brokenness or that of others?

PRAYER OF BLESSING

“Lord Jesus, we want to thank you because you are amazing and merciful.

We thank you because of everything you have done and spoke.

Thanks for the invitation you give us in Matthew 11:28-30.

You came revealing the kingdom of God and have offered us salvation from sin and its consequences.

Please God, give us the courage to admit our brokenness and acknowledge our wounds, and give us a spirit of discernment to identify the things that don’t heal on their own.

We need you God to heal our hearts and bind up our wounds.

We pray for the future, for ourselves, and for communities to get back together.

We know that you are always there, willing to heal and carry our troubles.

Thank you for the peace and rest you offer to us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Please share any thoughts, insights or recorded actions that come as a result of today’s devotions on social media using the hashtag: #WWOP21
Team: Mialy Sombiniaina, Madagascar; Rakotondrasoa, Madagascar; Martina Huber, Switzerland; Zinta Akpoko, Nigeria; Santiago Duarte, Colombia.

If you are on Instagram, I highly recommend you follow @ymcairelandchaplaincy – they post inspiring content and are participating in the World Week of Prayer with daily posts and videos.

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