Lenten Devotional - Day Two

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-7

“there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)

“It is the voice of the Church that is heard in singing together. It is not you that sings, it is the Church that is singing, and you, as a member of the Church, may share in its song.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

   Within every community surrounding every church, there are individuals and families separated from God, lost and wandering in the wilderness. The lost are not just some unknown, faceless person, often they are our own sons and daughters, nieces and nephews and grandchildren. A church needs the surrounding community as much as we believe the community needs the church. We will never experience wholeness until we rejoice together in each one being found, our song will never sound as good until we are all singing together.

   The parable of the lost sheep often draws our attention to the rejoicing in heaven over the one lost sheep returned to the fold. The story also tells us about the rejoicing that comes when the whole flock of sheep is once again whole, now back to 100. 

   The church is never in the fullness of its life together or singing at its best while it remains less than whole. We should rejoice over each new person who has been found, but there is always one more. Whatever problems which exist in our communities, like, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), God is always calling upon the church to discern where the Holy Spirit is sending us. What is the one thing our church could do to enhance the lives of those living in our community? The path before us may never seem clear or straight, we may need to become trailblazers in the darkness, clearing the way for others, but God’s Spirit is always lighting the way.

  AOD abuse and dependency will confuse and frustrate us, but God does know the way and is calling us to discover it. The way forward is not just to save the lost, but to save the church and its members who also lose their way when it comes to answering our call as disciples. We need to go out and not simply wait for the sheep to come into the fold. We need our community and its people to be whole.

   We need you to join us in a conversation about where God is sending us to reach out to those whose lives are being destroyed by AOD, individuals, families and children. We need your voice to join our song as we partner with those who are working to solve this serious social problem and to learn our own unique way forward. The path forward calls us to learn new skills and methods, to partner with those playing many different roles within our community, sharing our gifts, and discerning God’s Spirit. If we commit ourselves to this conversation, we will discover we can transform the lives around us and transform the life of the church. Then, the church’s voice can rejoice and will be whole as we are heard singing together.

Lee McDermott, Contributor 

Remember in Pray: Those found and the community where they rejoice.

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