Reading of the Day: Romans 8:24-25
“For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
When I take walks at night, it is sometimes because I have something on my mind, or just need to let off a bit of steam. It helps. We live near Gloria Dei, and I have a place on a sidewalk during my routine walk where I stop, take some deep breaths and gaze up the alley. The alley is lined with trees, telephone poles and garages, narrowing the view. About four blocks up the alley I see it, never changing, always there. It is the steeple of Gloria Dei. It is lit up and looks beautiful against the dark sky. I stand there and stare at it, and it always gives me what I am looking for: Hope. Hope is what Gloria Dei and my faith mean to me. I know that every time I step into the church building, there is hope because of the love, tolerance and community that is held in that building. In a world where there is too much darkness at times, I think of the steeple and of all the parishioners and pastors, lit up like beacons of hope.
PRAYER: Lord of all hope, light us like beacons in the communities surrounding Gloria Dei. Let others see the light of your hope as we become disciples for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.