This week’s pre-assembly devotion is written by Blythe Scott, Vice President of the Virginia Synod.
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1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.
This scripture comes from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians in the New Testament after he has settled in Corinth. In this moment, Paul is reflecting on his time spent with the Thessalonians and plainly states, “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.” Listen! Do not despair! Because we believe in Jesus, we will see those who have died before us. Look in the mirror and say this outloud to yourself. AMEN
As I write this devotion, we are approaching Mother’s Day – a holiday that I have celebrated with my own mother in the past and now celebrate as a mother myself – I have no idea of its origins, it has simply been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. A day filled with flowers and cards, breakfast in bed that consists of runny eggs and very crispy toast, or a day I had to get something for myself because no one had time to do or buy anything in the busy days leading up to the second Sunday of May. I mention this because, sadly, my own mother is now deceased as are many of the women who were like a mother to me.
Approaching a day to celebrate mothers can feel devastating when the people are not physically here to celebrate. But wait, let’s remember Paul’s words 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. We MUST remember that we will be in the presence of those we have loved and lost because of the gift we have been given through our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we prepare to come together for our Synod Assembly, please take a moment to remember that there may be grief and sorrow even when it is a time of celebration. There is a saying that grief is the price we pay for love, but that is not where the saying should end. From Paul’s letter we can add, hope is the gift that the Lord gave us.
