Your weekly love note from God, as imagined by Sandhya! This is one of 366 devotions Sandhya wrote, alternating between each book of the Hebrew Bible and each book of the New Testament, wondering what word of love God might have for us shaped by the Bible’s commitment to community and compassion, not just personal piety as so many devotions are written. Here’s hoping this devotional journey is a meaningful one for you as a person of community and compassion.
1 Thessalonians 4:12-13 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
So many of the letters in the early church were about resolving conflict, creating structures, dismantling pre-existing hierarchies and sometimes creating new ones. Not everyone loved giving up power and following the guidance and wisdom that their old culture and religion said now had authority. How many of the new converts from merchant cities, people of wealth, would normally have signed up to be led by a bunch of fishermen from an outlying region of little importance? My path often upsets existing power structures. This can create tension, but my faithful children can come through it. Today, reflect on where power structures need to change, who will be affected, and how unity in my Son might help people move into a new way of being.
For more love notes from God all week:
Sandhya Rani Jha 