Today’s WORD (Text) 1 John 3:1-3
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2/ Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3/ And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Today’s Witness
Daily devotionals are typically written away from the chatter and noise in the world. Today’s devotional is properly drafted within earshot of the high-pitched and desperate protests for justice in Brooklyn Center, MN, where a young Black male was killed by the police on last Sunday. Brooklyn Center is not quiet today, nor should it be. Young people are saying, “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now? Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago are not quiet today, and citizens should all cry aloud and spare not. There is severe unrest across America. I hear people of color—Black American, Latino, Asian American, Native American and others crying aloud and declaring that “We are the children of God now! The world fails to recognize us just as it failed to recognize Jesus.” Their pain is pronounced because the reigning powers in our cities and states appear to not recognize that these ordinary people matter in God’s eyesight, and they are God’s beloved today. They/we are crying out for recognition of our sacred humanity as children of God.
Today’s Invitation
When you see persons protesting for justice and declaring that their lives matter, are you able to see the image of God in their faces? Might discerning the image of God in the face and voices of protestors for justice help to cultivate a greater sense of solidarity with their cause?
Today’s Prayer
Lord, listen to your children crying and praying. Hear their voices of pain as they weep and mourn the loss of their young children, playmates, siblings, classmates, and neighbors. Have mercy upon those who weep, and who feel the agony of unjustified homicides deep within their being. God, we confess that we are all your children now, even in the face of dreadful losses and agonizing defeats. Have mercy upon our neighborhoods and cities. Protect the lives, livelihoods, mental and emotional well-being of all those traumatized by violence. As your disciples, make us instruments of your grace, peace, mercy, and love to all your children, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Guillaume Issaly on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) 1 John 3:1-3
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2/ Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3/ And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Today’s Witness
Daily devotionals are typically written away from the chatter and noise in the world. Today’s devotional is properly drafted within earshot of the high-pitched and desperate protests for justice in Brooklyn Center, MN, where a young Black male was killed by the police on last Sunday. Brooklyn Center is not quiet today, nor should it be. Young people are saying, “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now? Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago are not quiet today, and citizens should all cry aloud and spare not. There is severe unrest across America. I hear people of color—Black American, Latino, Asian American, Native American and others crying aloud and declaring that “We are the children of God now! The world fails to recognize us just as it failed to recognize Jesus.” Their pain is pronounced because the reigning powers in our cities and states appear to not recognize that these ordinary people matter in God’s eyesight, and they are God’s beloved today. They/we are crying out for recognition of our sacred humanity as children of God.
Today’s Invitation
When you see persons protesting for justice and declaring that their lives matter, are you able to see the image of God in their faces? Might discerning the image of God in the face and voices of protestors for justice help to cultivate a greater sense of solidarity with their cause?
Today’s Prayer
Lord, listen to your children crying and praying. Hear their voices of pain as they weep and mourn the loss of their young children, playmates, siblings, classmates, and neighbors. Have mercy upon those who weep, and who feel the agony of unjustified homicides deep within their being. God, we confess that we are all your children now, even in the face of dreadful losses and agonizing defeats. Have mercy upon our neighborhoods and cities. Protect the lives, livelihoods, mental and emotional well-being of all those traumatized by violence. As your disciples, make us instruments of your grace, peace, mercy, and love to all your children, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Guillaume Issaly on Unsplash