Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Sacred Labor and Social Justice 

Bible Reading: Exodus 35: 1-13

Key Verse:  5

“From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering…” Exodus 35:5

DEVOTION

There is more to life than what we see. The brokenness of this world; war, hunger, and poverty, can feel overwhelming. At times, it seems as though evil is prevailing and God is silent. 
“Where are You God?”
We may even ask, “God, do You really care?”  Yet God gently reminds us that He does.  Through Jesus Christ, He has revealed His heart to bring redemption, healing and hope.  The question is not whether God is at work, but whether we are willing to join Him.
In Exodus 35, we see a powerful picture of partnership with God. As the Tabernacle was being built, one word stands out:  willing.  The Tabernacle stood as a testimony that when hearts are willing and hands are faithful, ordinary offerings become a dwelling place for the presence of God.  The people responded with open hearts; bringing gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen, animal skins, wood, oil, spices, and precious stones; “everyone whose heart was stirred and whose spirit was willing.”
Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing? Are we willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus? It begins not with ability, but with availability; offering our time, energy, and gifts out of love, trusting that even the smallest contribution matters in God’s hands.
God uses our unique gifts, just as He equipped Bezalel with skill, wisdom, and creativity. Each of us is called to serve faithfully in our own way:  teaching, building, organizing, encouraging. This work is not done alone; it is a shared mission, built through unity and willing hearts. The Tabernacle was a community effort, shaped by many hands and willing hearts.
The people gave generously, not out of obligation, but out of devotion. In the same way, every act of love and justice today becomes sacred labor, creating spaces of hope, dignity, and peace. We are not called to despair, but to be His hands and feet in the world.
When we look at the needs around us, hungry children, broken systems, those without homes, it is easy to feel discouraged. But we must remember there are millions of believers across the world. With willing hearts and a faithful God, what would not be possible?
Do not despair! Let us be the answer, His hands and feet, actively working for justice, healing, and the restoration of this broken world.

PRAYER

 Our Heavenly Father, help us to be willing:  To be Your arms that reach, Your hands that heal, Your words that teach, Your feet that go, and Your heart that loves others as You love us. Amen.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“A willing heart is all God asks.  What I offer today, no matter how small or big, He can use for something eternal.”


Elizabeth Abraham
St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Yonkers, NY

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more