by Jonathan Krause
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Read Acts 27:9–26
I am no sailor.
I once got seasick on a houseboat on a lake while we were still attached to the wharf.
And I’ve never been on a cruise. Not only am I scared of going cabin-crazy from being confined, but I worry I will eat too much, exercise too little, and come home twice the man I was when I set sail.
So, I don’t know how I would go on a boat in a storm.
And if some smart fella stood up and told me to have courage, as Paul did in the Bible reading, I’m not sure I’d want to listen. Especially when he said in the next breath that we were going to be shipwrecked even if we did exactly as commanded!
What is courage anyway?
I’m not sure that it means you’re not scared. Your greatest courage is when you are scared – but you carry on anyway. (Those of us blessed to be Collingwood supporters know that feeling well – we are always scared we’ll lose, especially when it comes to finals, but we have the courage to keep hanging in there anyway!)
I don’t know what your life is like right now.
Maybe the cost-of-living crisis or high mortgage interest rates are causing you stress. Perhaps you’re worried about a loved one or have lost someone dear to you. Maybe the black dog of depression is barking at your ankles, or the chill of loneliness is wrapping icy fingers around your heart.
We shouldn’t be surprised. The storms will come. We may even run aground and suffer in ways that feel unfair or overwhelming.
That’s when we need the courage to hold on to our faith. Maybe it’s by our fingernails. Perhaps we feel too weary and worn to hold on a moment longer. That’s when we lift our eyes to Jesus, focus only on him, and – rather than holding on – let ourselves be held.
That takes true courage. I pray that for you.
Lord, you know me. You understand the life I lead, the challenges that confront me, the joys that delight. I know no life goes by without storms. Give me the courage to hold on to you. Amen.
Jonathan lives south of Adelaide with his wife Julie. Blessed by children and grandchildren, Jonathan enjoys reading and writing, walking by the beach and watching Collingwood win. Author of many devotion books, Jonathan is the Community Action Manager for the Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS).
Humility or humiliation?
by Faye Schmidt
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For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:11).
Read Luke 14:7–11
In our text, Jesus mentions a man who was invited to a wedding and sat in ‘a place of honour’ (verse 8). He was not told to sit there, but simply assumed that was where he belonged. By doing so, he conveyed to everyone at the wedding that he was one of the most important people there.
However, having exalted himself, he was humiliated when the host came and said, ‘Give this person your seat’ (verse 9), because another guest was considered more deserving of that place. The proud man was humiliated as he moved to a lower seat. Consider Proverbs 11:2: ‘When pride comes, then comes disgrace.’
What does Jesus require of us? He says, ‘When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, Friend, move up to a better place.’
When the person sits in the lowest place, he shows everyone that he does not consider himself any better than anyone else. In this parable, the host comes and moves him to a higher seat and honours him before others. It is the host who determines honour.
How do we practise humility? A saying often attributed to CS Lewis is, ‘True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.’ One way to foster humility in your life is to stop thinking of yourself so much. Sadly, so much in our society today emphasises the individual, their wants and desires, and the importance of self.
God does not call us into his kingdom to set us up as kings and queens but servants. The amazing thing is that once you stop thinking of yourself all the time, your mind will begin to think more about others. It is the humble person who does not focus on what they do not have, but considers what others lack. Pride says, ‘I want!’ and humility says, ‘You need!’ True humility thinks about others more often than about oneself.
Jesus is our example: ‘And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!’ (Philippians 2:8).
Send your Holy Spirit, Lord, that I may consider others more and be more selfless so that I may serve you as I serve my neighbour. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations in Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
How great is God
by Faye Schmidt
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Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all’ (Mark 9:35).
ReadMark 9:33–37
There are many in our society who have authority within the context of their role, and they exercise this authority when seated: the king from his throne, the judge from their chair, the Speaker in Parliament from the Speaker’s chair.
Wae know that Jesus has been given all authority on earth and in heaven by his Father, and he is seated at the right hand of God.
Therefore, when we read that Jesus ‘sits down’ to speak to the 12 disciples – that is, to people in the church – we recognise that he speaks from a position of authority. What he says bears all the strength of that authority, and we should take heed.
The contrast between the disciples’ question and Jesus’ response could not be starker. The disciples had not yet grasped the nature of Jesus’ kingdom about which he spoke. They were still thinking of an earthly kingdom and, therefore, looking for where they fit in and who would take over when Jesus died – and Jesus had spoken of his death.
The disciples were measuring themselves against each other – greatness was relative to one another. Their greatness was a product of themselves.
But Jesus embraces a child, holds that child close, and demonstrates that the prime relationship is with him. For this child has nothing to offer in a contest for greatness. Jesus reminds us that we are all created in God’s image. In seeing the child through Jesus’ eyes, we see the Creator of all.
Each of us is great in Jesus’ eyes, as we are part of God’s creation. We, therefore, should welcome each other as equals under God and co-heirs of his kingdom through his grace.
Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit to help me to see you in others and serve you as I serve them with love, dignity and grace. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations in Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
The tree of life
by Faye Schmidt
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This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it (Ezekiel 17:22a).
Read Ezekiel 17:22–24
Ezekiel 17 was written in beautiful poetry, as a message for a people who have had their lives upended and homes destroyed, a people who have been taken into captivity in Babylon. A people who have seen their young, 18-year-old king – Jehoiachin – taken as a prisoner of war to a foreign city. A people who have had their God-given place of worship, sacrifice and renewal of God’s promises and covenant, torn down and left in ruins.
In Scripture, various images are applied to God to help us understand who God is and his nature – shepherd, landowner, father (prodigal son), vine, etc. Here Ezekiel uses the imagery of a tree. The tree is fundamental to life. It provides shelter, safety, promise of fulfilment and fruit. This is our God.
The text also tells of God’s promises to the people of Israel – and to us. That the ways of the world are not God’s ways. That though we may be oppressed and feel small, he will make us tall. If we are weak, he will give us strength. And if we are weary and worn down, he will give us life.
The message is also one of inclusion. Birds of every kind and every tree in the forest are included in God’s promise. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, through whom we receive the gift of eternal life in the sanctuary of the Tree.
Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit to be my guide so that I may be a fruitful branch of your tree and serve you and my neighbour to your glory. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations in Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.