“We are to become vessels of God’s compassionate love for others.”
~Saint Claire of Assisi
Reflection:
In what ways is God inviting me to be emptied of self so that His compassionate love may flow more freely through me to others?
Scripture:
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:7
“The Lord does not compell the apostles. He invites them.”
~Jamie Baxter
Reflection:
Where in my life is Christ inviting me to follow Him more freely, without fear or coercion?
Scripture:
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
— Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
Is it enough
to say I love Christ
without loving my brothers
my sisters
without loving a stranger
the poor
the needy
or my enemy
is it enough to take the gift
of salvation
and not to share it
with the least of these
with those who are sick
and who live in darkness
is it enough to receive the light
and then to hide it
to hoarde it
to keep it for my own
or must I be as Christ
in all things
in all ways
for all people
according to his grace and mercy
upon the cross
of self-sacrificial love
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
In what practical way can I share Christ’s light with someone who may feel overlooked or forgotten this week?
Scripture:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40
Love exists only in freedom
it cannot be taken
only willingly given
and willingly received
love is shared
from open hand
to open hand
from open heart
to open heart
love is a decision
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in your life is God inviting you to choose love freely—without fear, control, or expectation?
Scripture:
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17
I do not know
what tomorrow will bring
I may not awaken
to see it
for now
I will receive
God’s life into my lungs
with gratitude
I will count every heartbeat
smile
and tear
as precious
until I forget again
Lord may I not
forget again
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in your life today is God inviting you to slow down, breathe, and remember His presence?
Scripture:
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
This is my prayer
lying next to you
listening to your poems
a dream beyond dreams
beyond my wishes
beyond my deserving
a grace beyond graces
how can I tell
that younger self
who wanted to end it all
who tried to end it all
that someday he would be here
weeping tears of joy
a witness to the creative beauty
that is his little girl
growing in godliness
all of this
these gifts so freely given
could have been stolen away
if he had his way
God is so good
God is so good
God is so good
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where can you look back on your life and recognize a moment when God’s goodness carried you beyond what you believed was possible?
Scripture:
“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” — Joel 2:25
“For all that has been, thank you. For all that will be, yes.”
~Dag Hammarskjöld
Reflection:
Where is God inviting you to say thank you—and where is God inviting you to say yes?
Scripture:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18
Someday soon
much sooner than you think
this will all be over
your entire life
will be but a memory
the flickering of a distant star
too far away to touch
too late to go back
and yet something lingers
a glint of light
on the canvas of darkness
a reminder of what was
fading away
at the passing of time
before you go
before you flicker out
before you recede
into the great beyond
ask yourself
have I loved enough
have I allowed myself
to be loved enough
is this not all that matters
even to a dying star
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in your life are you being invited to love more freely—or to more openly receive love?
Scripture:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12
Call me across the water
if I can’t walk
I will swim
though my faith may waiver
and my feet may falter
call me to you
and I will come
you are my strength
my hope
my salvation
I will not stop
until I am home
call me across the water
Lord Jesus
call me into your arms
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where might Jesus be calling you to step out in faith, even when the waters ahead feel uncertain?
Scripture:
“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. — Matthew 14:27–29 (NIV)
“The community is, in a way, a mosaic: every person is a little piece of a different color, and together all the pieces show us the face of God.”
~Henri Nouwen
Reflection:
How does recognizing the unique “color” of each person in your community help you see God more clearly?
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 12:12 — “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”
Grappling With Divinity 