By Pastor Mark Moreno

Peace Like a River

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

I lived a few years in Austin, Texas and one of the fun images that helps “keep Austin weird” is today’s image: A mural that is pretty simple. A silly bug eyed alien looking frog thing that both greets the viewer but also asks a question.

It was painted in 1993 and is still standing to this day, amazingly enough it hasn’t been pained over or had graffiti ruin it. It is quirky and has become a beloved image in the Austin landscape.

But I want to focus today’s devotion on the concept of connecting with other people on a meaningful level. Do you ask people how they are doing? Do you sense when they are just giving you a thoughtless reply or truly sharing? When other people ask how you are doing, are you truthful?

By 1876, Horatio Spafford had just experienced some incredible losses. In 1871, his son died in a fire which also burned the family business and Spafford was ruined financially. In 1873, his wife and four daughters were on a ship out to sea when it sank and his four daughters died, while his wife survived.

But out of those incredible losses, he wrote a hymn, one that tried to answer the question “How are you?” He wrote:

“’When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.” 

The truth for those who hold in faith to the promises of God is that we may not be doing well, but it is indeed well with my soul. Life has challenges to be sure, and at any given moment there is hurt and loss. But we are “doing ok” when we remember that we do not suffer loss alone, we do not base our answer on current circumstances.

My prayer for you today is that you slow down and take the time to connect with the people God has placed in your life and get a real sense of how they are doing. Then think about how you can help and support them. You don’t need to solve problems or have all the answers, but you do need to demonstrate care.

Isn’t it funny how a simple, silly mural has inspired so many people over the years? And today, it has inspired you to inquire of others how THEY are doing. I pray it is well with your soul!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado