NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

April 14

Scripture focus: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NIV

Although the kingdom of God cannot be contained by buildings or denominations, there is something sacred about people who decide to belong to each other as an expression of God’s commands. Church, at its finest, makes us want to wear our best ‘sitting shoes.’ Our urge to show up for church in shoes pretty enough to only sit in comes from something deep within us. It springs from a longing to love and be loved. We must entertain the notion that there is value in building a community of faith because we were created to live in fellowship with God and humans. I realize that going to church is not culturally cool at this time in history. I often hear people comment on why they hate church but love God. I believe them, understand them and on some days even agree with them. But I fear that our willingness to abandon God’s call to meet together is more a sign of the times – that we have become self-centered and unwilling to suffer for the sake of another – rather than a true commentary of the state of the modern church. I’m getting older by the minute, and I’ve learned that some things that seem hateful in the moment turn out, in hindsight, to be sacred.

Marion and I had three days together, almost alone. During that time she tutored me on what it meant to live an abundant life. Every story centered on relationship, not performance. It spoke of the snafus and inconveniences of life lived within the context of family. She spoke of past offenses and resentments – without the baggage of having to hold onto the resentment. It seemed as if the actual numbering of her days gave her clarity of vision that illuminated her past and provided me with a beautiful view of the nearness of the kingdom of God. During the last days of her life, she was blessed with the gathering of her family. By the final hours, her room was filled with eleven children, grandchildren, and daughters -in-law. The chairs were uncomfortable and the temperature was freezing. We bundled in coats because for some strange reason, the closer Marion got to eternity, the warmer she felt. She slept without discomfort and we sat in mostly silent but sometimes talkative vigilance – just in case we were needed. Mostly we weren’t needed; but for sure, we all knew we were wanted. Together, we had built a house of memories that informed our decision making. We knew she would want us with her. It didn’t matter that the chairs were hard and the room was cold. It counted for almost nothing that there weren’t enough seats for everyone, and some ended up napping on the carpeted floor or doubling up in the one upholstered chair. No one fretted that we had no time table or road map for what lay ahead (well, we speculated but it wasn’t the deciding factor). This last time with Nana on earth would take the time it took, and we were resolute in our steadfastness to remain fully present for the experience. The kingdom of God is near…and we will miss it if we make decisions based on what suits us, feels comfortable, and avoids pain and suffering. The kingdom of God is near…for those who are willing to live with a lot of “clomp clomp clomping” in the midst of trying to figure out what it means to love God and others. The kingdom of God is near…and we will never recognize it if we care more about being right than being fully present for others. The kingdom of God is near…and people in faith communities, as uncool and annoying as they can sometimes be are at least trying to figure out how to take their next right step…”clomp clomp clomping” along.


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