Daily Devotional for September 4, 2020

Rerun of Daily Devotional September 8, 2017

Jane is one of the volunteer receptionists at the church.  I call them babysitters because these wonderful volunteers have to work with the church staff and me – enough said.

Yesterday, when Jane wasn’t answering phones, I said, “I need you to write a sermon for me.  It needs to be four pages, single spaced, type written, easy to memorize, clear transitions, wonderful illustrations and include Jesus.”

I was disappointed to find out that Jane finished her shift without writing my sermon, but she did write a great devotional that I would like to share with you.

Lessons from Nature: An Encounter

This morning I watched as two creatures convened in the middle of my driveway.  The rabbit hopped up from the brush on the left: the squirrel came cautiously from a pasture to the right.  They met in the middle and stared at each other.  They did not touch noses, but they could have, being on the same eye level – nor did they fight.  They stood and took each other’s measure.

The rabbit might have said, “My ears are longer; yours are short.”  The squirrel could then reply, “Your tail’s a woolly stump; mine’s long and lithe for balance.”  Propelled by my strong back legs, I can hope higher than you,” would be the rabbit’s retort.  The squirrel knew he could win at any race – then dart up a tree!

The two just sat and gazed for quite a while.  The squirrel swished his tail; the rabbit twitched one ear.  Then calmly each turned the way that he had come; the rabbit to the brush, the squirrel to the pasture where the cattle grazed.

From my air-conditioned house and paned glass window, I pondered what I just had learned:  Two creatures, not of the same species but like enough to greet each other nose to nose, met, eyed each other, and saw no reason to fight.  Each seemed to think, “You are a bit like me, but you’re not my kind.  One of us eats nuts, the other grass.  One makes a hole, the other climbs a tree.”  Seeing no cause for conflict, each resumed his natural way.

Reluctantly, I turned from the window to open my morning paper and read of a knifing in Chicago, a bombing in Syria, and more Congressional bickering.  I sighed.

When Jesus’ disciples were filled with anxiety and fear, he said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

From time to time, as we see the turmoil in the world, it is important to remember that God wins.  That’s what really matters.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, ease my troubled mind and let me rest securely in your love.  Guide my thoughts, words, and actions.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Even though Jane didn’t write my sermon, she didn’t let me down.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins