e-vo for week of November 5

Dearest e-votees-

Normally these devotions are based on the assigned lectionary texts for the coming Sunday.

This week, however, I beg your indulgence as we look at a different text which lines up well with what has been captivating the media in this country for the past way too many weeks.

Peace,
Karl

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“Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15, NRSV

We have been fixated these past many weeks on who is the best choice to serve us. We ponder questions such as: Who has the best way out of the economic crisis that has beset our country? Who can bring the war in Iraq to the best resolution? Who can make sure that our needs and maybe even our wants are well tended? Who will do the best job as president serving the needs of this country’s citizens? Who is looking out for us?

Maybe we are thinking too much about ourselves rather than the call that is placed upon us. Maybe we are looking too much towards our own future and not enough into the future that draws and beckons us into a place of service and sacrifice—a place that looks more like a washbasin and a towel on Maundy Thursday rather than a hot steaming towel at the spa. This brings to mind John F. Kennedy’s famous admonition in his inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

Joshua’s admonition and JFK’s admonition still call out to us today. We are called to serve. We are called to decide in our hearts and in our minds and with our actions whom we will serve. All are invited to enter into service. All will enter that service one way or another. All must choose the one who will be on the receiving end of that service.

Bob Dylan was exactly right when he sang:

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

(Gotta Serve Somebody)

Who are you going to serve this day? As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.


God, we thank you for those who dare to enter the fray of public service. Be with our newly elected president and all who serve in public office. Stir us to pray and support and engage them as we bear the mantle of service you have put on us all. In the name of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45) we pray. Amen.