Daily Devotional

Summer is ending and school is back in session. This year, my youngest daughter has become a middle school student. This transition has given me pause to think about my time in school.

Kennedy Coke is a strong and courageous young lady. Kennedy is a 10-year-old girl who is currently battling cancer. When she was only two years old, doctors discovered a tumor in Kennedy’s lung. She would later be diagnosed with DICER-1, a rare genetic disorder that prevents her body from fighting tumors. Kennedy has battled many health issues and has overcome so much in the past eight years.

Jason DeFord has lived a difficult life. Jason battled drug and alcohol addiction from an early age. His first encounter with the police was at age 14. From age 14 to 39, Jason was in and out of jail. He was in a jail cell when he learned about the birth of his daughter. That moment opened his heart to change. He said it was like the moment “when Saul turned into Paul on the Damascus Road.”

Labor Day is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It is often celebrated as the “un-official end of summer.” Today, people all over the United States will spend time at the lake, grilling their favorite foods, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and simply relaxing and enjoying a long weekend.

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me round among them; and behold, there were very many upon the valley; and lo, they were very dry.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name

The first day of school is a difficult day for everyone involved. Students, parents, teachers, and staff are all learning a new schedule and a new routine. With so many people involved, confusion often happens. That is exactly what happened when a young 1st-grade student was not put on the bus in Union Township, Ohio. Instead, this 6-year-old attempted to make the one-mile walk home.

One of the most challenging classes a student takes in seminary is Systematic Theology. The Systematic Theology class is a demanding, year-long experience. The reading for this class is extensive and complex.

The Christian faith takes great courage. Much of what we do comes naturally. Yet, Jesus challenges us to move beyond what comes naturally or what we usually do. Jesus challenged the people he encountered to move beyond what was simple and easy. He invited them to follow Him into a more profound and more challenging faith.

A simple act of kindness can change a person’s day. When more than one person commits to act in kindness, it may change a community. That happened when two strangers allowed kindness to direct their actions at an inconvenient moment.