Day 10/November 3 Devotion

Reflection by Brother Ken Taylor,
Pastor of Saint Nicholas Lutheran in Huntingtown, MD

Do we really love our neighbors?

We have entered into a critical time in our nation’s history. Multiple overlapping crises have overwhelmed, paralyzed, and distressed our nation. Dire predictions by trusted epidemiologists have been ignored as the Covid virus mitigation strategies have become deeply politicized.
During this global pandemic the wealth gap has increased as the stock market makes billions for a handful of millionaires, whilst millions of families now taste a level of poverty and uncertainty not seen in our generation. Friends and families are divided, the truth camouflaged, and faith defined by partisan politics rather than politics being defined by an Agape ‘God-and-neighbor-loving’ faith.
Our deep prayer is that the Agape love of God will guide the hearts and votes of our nation, as we trust that through our beloved system of representational democracy, God will carry us into a just and merciful future for all of our neighbors.

Matthew 22:38

“…you shall love your neighbor as yourself”

Questions to Ponder

1. When I reflect on the time in which we live, am I truly loving God with an Agape love? Or, is my love for God based upon my own comforts and whims? 
2. As I consider this year’s national and local elections, am I truly concerned for that which is loving for all of my neighbors? Or am I mostly concerned for my own welfare? 
3. How will I love my neighbor who votes differently than I do? Can I still show the ‘love-of-God’ for those who I perceive are not concerned about my welfare or the welfare of our neighbors?
4. What is the ‘love-of-God’ thing for me to do if the election does not go my way? Can I still trust that God is leading me and lovingly supporting me?

Silence for Reflection

Prayer

Let us pray…O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Evening Prayer, ELW)