Today’s Reflection
A Cloud of Witnesses: those faithful saints who have gone before me. Abraham and Moses, my parents and grandparents, my aunts and uncles. A favorite childhood Sunday school teacher, longtime church members, neighbors, and friends. I close my eyes, wanting to focus my mind’s eye on each person who helped mold my spiritual life. These spiritual ancestors did not abandon their faith when life was difficult. They felt the sharp pain of rejection and failure. They suffered illness and grieved the loss of loved ones. Still they faithfully embraced the hardships and uncertainties of life with courage and hope. Recalling their stories of faithfulness encourages me in the what-ifs of this season of life. I can hear them calling to me: “Finish well, dear one.”
—Missy Buchanan, Beach Calling: A Devotional Journal for the Middle Years and Beyond (Upper Room Books, 2019)
Today’s Question
Who are some of the faithful saints in your life? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
—Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Prayer for the Week
Like the waves of the ocean rolling onto the sand, may God’s glorious grace, rush into my heart and soul, again and again.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
In a world where change, confrontation, and division are all around us, how are we to live fully and faithfully as followers of Jesus Christ? Join us for RESILIENCE, a virtual event on September 29-30, 2023 as we explore how practicing compassion can transform our relationships. Register today at UpperRoom.org/resilience.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments
My aunts and uncles who are still with us are certainly saints. My parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and aunts and uncles who have passed are among the cloud of witnesses. Also friends, teachers, pastors. They love us, pray for us, and cheer us on.
I believe my dad has been a faithful pray-er for me since my birth. I can easily see his wisdom, patience and love – all showered on his family. His unconditional love – the best I have seen from a human being.
God also blessed me with godly women at various stages of my life. Their fingerprints are all over my life. I hope I am able to leave fingerprints on the lives of others.
My god daughter’s birthday party is this evening. I am making pulled chicken and sweet and sour meatballs to help my friend out. Things are really rough now that the divorce has taken place – and this is the second birthday party – this one for my friend’s side of the family. There was to be one party – but, plans changed a week ago. My friend is trying to survive day to day – trying to protect her kids. It’s hard to view this from the outside.
Church was impactful and I was a bit emotional. The past two weeks, my heart has been extra tender. Much of it do to walking alongside my friend through this very difficult time. Tears are near, for both of us.
Rain is coming, later this afternoon. How we need it. Might hamper some of dad and I’s golfing plans this week – time will tell.
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