By Pastor Mark Moreno

The Middle of Things

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

This world is filled with stark differences and our picture today does a great job of highlighting this. I was out with my family over the holiday break and we managed to grab a bite to eat in a downtown area. That’s when I took the photo that manages to provide a striking contrast.

You have a woman with her dog staring into the lens; a woman just behind her in mid-bite. Then a family to the right that are lost in their phones. I should mention the dog is staring into the lens as well! The people are fairly disorganized, kinda caught in the “middle of things”.

By contrast, up above appears quite organized, geometric, and precise. I love the triangles and squares and the straight lines. At least to me, it seems like those two halves of the picture couldn’t be more different.

I suppose that is a good analogy for how this world can seem chaotic, because it is! Sin has wrecked what this world and what life is supposed to be. We know that “up above” that God has a perfect will and a perfect plan, but it can seem pretty far away. It definitely feels different!

Jesus says as much in John 8:23-24,

“He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.  I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins”.
English Standard Version

I am so thankful that even though this world can be chaotic, that our perfect God comes to us, into this mess, to make things right. To restore! Jesus is the One that truly is a contrast: He is true God yet true man; He is the beginning and the end, He is the sinless One that dies for our sins.

Maybe you feel caught “in the middle of things”. I encourage you to look up to our God that encourages, forgives and loves. He will be faithful to His promises!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado