Daily Devotion – May 14, 2020 – Roy Hammerling
Colossians 3:12-17
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. . . Above all, clothe yourselves with love.”
Compassionate Clothing
As we sit in our homes alone, we see the precipice of the present lingering dangerously and before us lies a hope beyond the horizon. Nevertheless, the fear of today is something we will take with us into the future, because we know it can happen again. The evening of today mingles sad realities with what seems like distant hope. St. Paul, however, suggests that it is not enough in the future to eat, drink, or smoke less, or even to exercise, work, or strive more. Rather, Paul says simply, “As God’s chosen, holy and beloved, be clothed in love.” Augustine has noted that eternity is only to be found for us on earth in the present moment. Too often the past is full of remorse, and the future is consumed with idealistic longing; to set up residence in the past or the future blinds us to what is going on in the present. Clothed in love, however, the faithful go forth each day, forgiven and hopeful, so that in the present moment they may show compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience with those whom they encounter. When we truly love we lose ourselves in others, our own concerns whether past or future are set aside. When we love God, we literally are lost in eternity.
Prayer: O, Gracious God, clothe us in love, so we may be lost in others and you for all time. Amen.
Prayer Concerns: For all, who on this night, are trapped in the past or misplaced in the future.
