by Rev Douglas Brauner

Reflecting Christ in the Middle

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

“[Momma] says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad but it’s the middle that counts the most.” – Hope Floats

My friend, Payton, loves pictures that are captured at the beginning and the ending of a role of film (yes, they still make film and you can find it at drug stores). I must admit that there is a sense of mystery when looking at these pictures, but there is also a sense of incompleteness. I took time to frame these pictures, composing them to make an impact. That impact is diminished because the pictures aren’t whole.

This quote from Hope Floats is one of my favorite movie quotes. Beginnings are scary even if that beginning is the result of something positive. Endings are sad as they usually mean a change in or an end to a relationships. However, I agree with Birdee’s mom, “it’s the middle that counts the most.”

The prophet Micah said it this way,

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 English Standard Version

Jesus’ entry into this world and his ascension to his throne at the right hand of the Father are extremely important to our salvation, however, it’s what he did in the middle that is most significant for our lives. It was his ability to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with his Father that changed our lives.

The picture above was taken in the middle of my role of film. It is a complete vision of what I saw through my viewfinder. Our entrance into this world is important and the hope of heaven encourages us, but, modeled by Jesus, It’s the middle of our lives that completes the picture.

As the redeemed of God, we are called to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God now.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado