Providing Christian resources from the YMCA past and present to nourish inclusive, equitable work in our diverse and global neighborhoods that build up healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Check out these new YMCA devotions edited and written by Christian YMCA leaders from across the movement. Learn how you can strengthen the presence of Christ in your life and in your YMCA!
These YMCA devotions are written by Christian Y leaders from across the United States.
Enjoy these devotions with your YMCA leadership team, fellow staff, friends or on your own.
You can access it online via the YouVersion Bible app.
ONE: Praying With Jesus That The World May Believe
What would it look like to be part of the answer to this prayer of Jesus in our generation: “that they all may be one”?
What can we do to be one with God and each other?
Join this seven day devotion series led by YMCA pastors as they explore what the prayer in John 12:20-26 can mean for us today so that the world may believe and know God’s love.
John 17:21 & Our Flourishing ::: what are ways the mission and Christian origins of the YMCA enliven our work these days to strengthen the foundations of our community for all? Especially for diverse Christians in the Y striving to live out their faith in an inclusive, equitable and global way…
Unity.
It’s like a shattered dream.
German concentration camp, Flossenberg
Yet, it still compels a certain kind of yearning:
“If only we were more authentically united, we would have more peace.”
That’s my summary of what I hear people say.
We are not wrong to want unity, nor in the wrong to make attempts to forge unity in a hope for peace.
It’s just that calls for peace in general, abstract speeches for unity ring hollow after awhile.
How many of us want the results of peace without the work of unity?
In my church world the prayer for unity by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is getting a lot of traction (again).
It’s a beautiful prayer, very personal, raw, emotional and grand in its vision for humanity and God.
For Christians in any given community, there is usually some kind of chronic conflict disturbing the peace.
The garden prayer reminds us that the unity God wants for us most is oneness with Christ Jesus and the other “little Christ’s” in our world.
Maybe because of our public role in the community we can have a hand in preventing further disunity or defend it from worse conflict.
But as a Christian, in both our public and private world, the unity that matters most and that has the greatest power for unity in the world is to be found in the garden prayer of Jesus.
Here is a key part of that prayer:
“Father, my prayer is not that you take (my disciples) out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth.
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be sanctified in truth.
My prayer is not for them alone.
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – so that they may be brought to complete unity.
Then the world will know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
[Jesus, in John’s Gospel, 17:15-23]
In the news media these days there is deep yearning for unity and peace to prevail between the people of Israel and Palestine.
Here in the USA there is a passionate desire for unity and peace to heal the racial divide.
How many families, how many friends have become painfully are separated in spirit, mind and body due to divisions over vaccines, election integrity, political ideology, and just plain drifting apart due to irreconcilable differences?
From whence comes any kind or real unity and peace in our world of suffering, chaos and disillusionment?
We as a global humanity have more scientific and technical answers for what disrupts unity and peace for a national society, tribe and culture than ever.
Same for tested theories of reconciliation and healing.
But, however abstract and principled these observations and theories may be, it is often not a matter of knowledge or information that keeps us from doing peacemaking and unification.
It is likely much more a matter of the will, of our desires, of what we want to choose.
We humans live through the heart, and too often merely use our head to justify what our heart feels, believes, sees, hears and experiences.
Jesus prays from the heart for unity within humanity: in particular those who will see him, hear him, believe him, and follow in his truth.
These humans in the first century were derisively called “little Christ’s” for their imitation of Jesus.
Despite the mocking and persecution they became a community, an embodiment of this prayer by Jesus for unity, truth, peace and love.
The current disunity in the world is mostly driven by incentivized envy and greed, insatiable lust and gluttony, lazy apathy towards others who suffer but bitter anger over ones own; mostly though it is wounded pride that drives ourselves, our tribes and modern societies to vengeful and “defensive” violence and madness.
This is generally true throughout recorded human history around the world.
For the past two millennia Christians have entered into almost these tribes and societies in the world, establishing the presence of Christ there through little communities.
What happens though is that these “little Christ’s” over identify with the culture and then too little with the presence of Christ Jesus.
Christ inclusively connects and unites his diverse followers around the globe, even when they come from warring tribes and societies pitted against each other.
For example, too many USA Christians over identify with the government of Israel and are mostly ignorant of the Palestinian Christians suffering in the Holy Land.
People inspect the rubble of a destroyed residential building which was hit by Israeli airstrikes, in Gaza City, Wednesday, May 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Or, here in the USA, too many White Christians are in denial of the racism that has wounded Black Christians in spirit, mind and body.
There is also the ecological crisis, of how wealthy Christians in the world despoil and degrade the land and cultures of poor Christians.
Of course there is rationalization and justification of intent and motives, of actions and consequences that blunts the conviction to repent, confess, lament, be sorrowful for the sinful brokenness and pride which is adversarial to Jesus’ prayer of unity.
Let’s not deny the truth of the experience of suffering, both of Jesus and those who through the past 21 centuries have also suffered at the hands of those with political, economic and religious power.
Jesus is the incarnation of God’s Spirit in the human spirit, mind and body.
Whatever Jesus prays and does, it’s an embodiment of God’s desire for the world he created and the people he loves.
When Jesus prays for unity, love and truth, it’s not an overspiritualization at the expense of material cynical reality.
It’s the wisdom of God for how he is at work in the world that he fashioned and still holds in his hands, so to speak.
The flourishing of Christians is an overflow from being united with Christ and each other.
It does not mean there is no more suffering.
But it does mean no more suffering alone, no more suffering without faith, hope and love.
In this world we will suffer. But will there also be any flourishing in its midst?
What sets apart “little Christ’s” in communities across the globe is there solidarity with those who suffer across the globe.
It is the way of the world to hate their enemy, to take an eye for an eye, and give help to only their own.
But Jesus embodies a different kind of way, truth and life in the world; those that follow it are set apart, are sanctified, and strive to love their enemies, heal the unthankful, turn the other cheek, and seek just mercy for all.
What’s the vision that empowers Christians to strive for this kind of unity and flourishing?
Jesus prays that we who are his followers would have union with each other like he has with the Father, and that we would have union with both Father and Son, through the life-giving, spirit, mind, body -saving power of the Holy Spirit.
Theosis is the theological word for this dynamic transformation, of our oneness with each other as we are made one with God in Jesus through the Spirit.
Somehow this begins in this life on Earth,
There is no movie-soundtrack that accompanies theosis, no awards ceremony to recognize the achievements, no social media promotions to highlight theosis.
Theosis is gritty, it can be grueling, it is forged amidst suffering, as we strive for just mercy for the neighbors we love and hate, for the fellow Christians whom we enjoy and those we don’t understand.
Theosis is fueled by imitation of Jesus, by submitting to the Same Spirit which energized his work, by a vision of God sustained through trust.
Theosis and flourishing go together, along with the suffering that comes from being fully human in this real world.
There is no utopia!
Theosis is not about perfection in this life, it’s not about convenience, efficiency or effectiveness.
Theosis is about the fruit of the Spirit bearing out in our lives as we follow in the way, truth and life of the Jew Jesus.
Theosis looks like God sending Jesus into the world, which we can read about in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
Theosis looks like the apostle and disciples of Jesus being sent into the real world to proclaim the gritty gospel, preaching repentance and forgiveness of divisive sin – to the ends of the Earth.
Theosis requires love; this kind of love from Jesus to us that flows through us to fellow humanity is patient, this love is kind, it does not envy or boast in pride, it does not greedily seek its own at another’s expense, and like God is not easily angered.
Theosis is experienced through love that rejoices in the truth, a love that keeps no record of wrong, a love that does not delight in evil.
Our flourishing in theosis is experienced in God’s love for us and our love for neighbors, strangers and enemies; a love that always protects, always trusts, always hopes, a uniting love that always perseveres amidst the suffering and evil in the world.
Flourishing, theosis, love – it is all in the details.
Every day.
Being present, in the chaos and injustice, the mundane and boring, the busyness and hecticness.
It’s the courage to be, the courage to believe you are loved by God, the courage to desire unity, theosis, and flourishing despite observable inequities and brokenness all around us.
Shattered dreams are a crucial and painful moment that test our resolve to keep the faith, to keep hoping and loving (ala Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
Jesus’ prayer for our unity and flourishing, our theosis, occurred while on his knees in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night of his betrayal where he begged God to take this cup of suffering from him.
With drops of blood on his brow he prayed to accept the will of God.
His shattered spirit, mind and body on the cross would seem to have rendered his prayers ineffective.
Yet…the union he had with God before and after that shattering were transformative, they were the opening up of a new kind of theosis and flourishing for all.
May your desire for unity and peace, may your yearning for theosis with God in Jesus through the Spirit, amidst the chaos and suffering of our world, bear the fruit of flourishing for all Creation.
Vision-casting at the turn of the millennium on the legacy and future of the YMCA, it’s Christian faith and works in our modern age:
“For the essential genius of the YMCA does not concern techniques, management, buildings, but reaches by God’s grace, into hearts, minds and bodies and strengthens them in wholeness and offers a unifying purpose that is needed and longed for.
God created something unique in the YMCA and works uniquely in the YMCA in spite of all of us. Again and again God has reshaped and renewed this organization, and it is my prayer that we, who have this great gift in our lives and time will be open to ways God will make all things new in this new century and always.”
“This Is A Day Of New Beginnings”
By Harold C. Smith / September 6, 2000 / Silver Bay YMCA, NY
Reproduced and Distributed at Springfield College to the inaugural OnPrinciple cohort by Mike Bussey, Chair of Friends of the Jerusalem YMCA
“The faith that brought the YMCA into being is a faith of ever new beginnings.
“Behold I make all things new” God proclaims in the Book of Revelation.
We are to embrace this newness and work with and for it.
That was a motive of mine when I called for this seminar and meeting. I appreciate the response.
It confirms I was not alone in my concern and thinking. I hope I can help move us into the new century in a revitalized and dedicated way.
My concern is the Christian part of our very name.
When I read the inspiring words of the former leaders of the Y, I am astonished by their vision and inspiration.
They envisioned “mobilizing the Lay Forces of Christianity” and “The Evangelization of the World in This Generation.”
They meant it and so did the Y.
When I look at our meetings and publications I don’t perceive vision or fire. That is a bad sign; “For without vision, people will perish.”
Let’s look at what we are and where we are and see if light comes onto the problems.
There is a feeling Christianity compromises our openness.
Yet the Christianity of the YMCA had as its core is John 17:21 “that they all may be one.”
This Christianity has always been inclusive.
Indeed, one of the most Christian aspects of the YMCA as I have known it is this openness and acceptance of everyone.
This said, there are dangers in openness.
We can be perceived, and are, as being all things to all people and ending up as being nothing to no one.
There is also a danger of being captured, shanghaied as it were, because of being open.
This could yield attempts to subvert or reinvent our association, its purpose and its mission.
Still further, there is the danger of assimilation. Of becoming part of a secular culture, or as a part of an American “state religion” in general.
Those who went before us realized this yet remained open.
Because it is in the very nature of the Christian faith as they understood it and it was an integral part of what they hoped for in a YMCA.
It was to be a community rooted and grounded on the love they perceived God had for everyone in sending the world Jesus as the Christ.
Now the YMCA was lay movement. Early on it agreed not to be theological or doctrinal.
But it also agreed to be inspired, moved and illuminated by God’s Word in the Bible as they understood it.
The YMCA wasn’t conceived with the right beliefs and confessions but with Christian action and life: “By their fruits you shall know them.”
And what fruit the Y brought forth and continues to bring forth!
The world is better for the YMCA; lives are better because of the YMCA.
In many ways faith in action worked.
But there are dangers here too.
It is harder to live faith than be doctrinaire about faith.
This is especially true of Christianity, a subtle faith without signs (except the signs of Jonah).
The Y position was: we will live our Christian faith and others will be attracted by that faith in life and perhaps catch it.
The YMCA approach as its best is magnificent and effective and at its worst is a disaster.
It assumes a deep, nourished, renewed and renewing faith on the part of those who would live it.
And this leads to the role association plays.
The YMCA creates community at the same time it serves as leaven in the larger communities it is part of.
For the member the goal is the loving community envisioned by prophets, Christ and the early church leaders.
That community helps people reach their highest potential, and unity of mind, body and spirit (as Luther Gulick of Springfield College pointed out) under God.
We live in fractured communities living fractionated lives and desperately need the wholeness the YMCA has pointed to, and, at its best, delivered.
But this community is not an end in itself.
It has as its mission to change not only individuals by bringing them to wholeness but by bringing larger communities to wholeness under God.
For the Y serves a God of not only unity but peace and justice.
The function of the Y is not to reflect a community but redeem it; to lift it to new levels and promise.
The Y does this one person at a time, and by mobilizing those touched by the unity and purpose under God the Y can offer to reach out to others. And what creative reaching out there has been, and what scope there is for more yet to be done, and not just locally.
From the earliest days the YMCA has had a world outlook, purpose and mission.
That mission, the product of the unity of a person under God, had and continues to have an appeal that transcends borders, cultures and historic baggage.
For the essential genius of the YMCA does not concern techniques, management, buildings, but reaches by God’s grace, into hearts, minds and bodies and strengthens them in wholeness and offers a unifying purpose that is needed and longed for.
God created something unique in the YMCA and works uniquely in the YMCA in spite of all of us.
Again and again God has reshaped and renewed this organization, and it is my prayer that we, who have this great gift in our lives and time will be open to ways God will make all things new in this new century and always.”
For more about Rev. Dr. Harold C. Smith (1934-2017) Chief Investment Officer of the YMCA Retirement Fund (1983-2000), pastor of Unity Hill Church in Connecticut, and the HCS Foundation.
