Eastertide
April 27, 2020
Scripture Reading:
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. –Acts 2:42
This verse describes my life since I have been sheltering in place. Generally, I follow a pattern of trying to be well-organized, setting goals and time frames, and accepting responsibility for some projects or events that fit my time budget. Rarely do they work out the way I envisioned. As one who coordinated planning for a large state agency for 20 some years, I learned early in my career that plans exist to be changed. That does not negate the need to plan in the first place. Planning lessens the challenges of dealing with change.
Recently, circumstances beyond my control had resulted in my need to pick up my pace in late winter and early spring, and just as suddenly, COVID 19 struck. Most of my activities were canceled, alternative solutions to issues had to be addressed, and I had the time to read the NT Wright book I bought several months ago. My fellowship switched to Zoom meetings and telephone calls, live-streamed worship, including the Lord’s Supper, and I awoke this morning, realizing I was dreaming a prayer.
Acts 2 is describing the actions of the Christ-followers working to implement their calling to further the creation of the Kingdom of God initiated by Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. The remainder of Acts reports their planning and initiation of action and their changing plans. We are called to continue that work today and forever until God’s plan for this world comes to full fruition.
At one point in this rollout, Paul called on Christ-followers to
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:11-18)
And during the COVID 19 challenge, he might have added grab hold of the spiritual fruit of patience.
Prayer: Lord, make this time of dis-ease a time of growth and understanding of your plans for us as your disciples in the world today.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.