Sheridan News

Devotion: Fulfillment

January 6, 2022 / , ,
newyears

Fulfillment

Please take a moment to read Luke 2:25-38.

I think back to New Year’s last year and we all wanted 2020 to be in the rearview mirror, right? Thinking that 2021 had to be better than 2020. In some regards it was, and yet, many challenges from 2020 followed us into 2021.

Let’s hit some highlights from 2021:

  • Zoom: As the year began, Schools had a modified schedule with a lot of students taking classes through Zoom. And speaking of Zoom, we all learned how to use Zoom, or any of the other applications that help us see each other face to face through our computers. And we all had our hurdles as we learned this technology. A favorite blunder was the Court in Texas where one of the lawyers had a cat face filter as they went into session. 
  • Bernie’s Mittens: And with the presidential inauguration, Bernie’s mittens made headlines, memes and Twitter feeds. And the Vermont woman who made them received national acclaim.
  • Summertime!: In the spring as more people were vaccinated, we were beginning to see the lift of the paralyzing grip of Covid. And we all enjoyed summer when we could be outside! Many of us enjoyed summer sports, weddings, family reunions and moments without masks. 
  • New Variants: Then the delta variant appeared and then omicron. Vaccine boosters, Bringing the masks back. We are all learning to deal with Covid daily.
  • The Great Resignation: Staffing and the marketplace have changed and continue to do so. Economists wrote and continue to write about the movement of “The Great Resignation” where people are leaving their jobs for other opportunities en masse. I think we’ve all experienced the change of staffing in our workplaces or our places where we do our business. There have been retirements, job changes & losses, closings, and a lack of human resources to do the work that we have become so used to doing. 
  • Extreme weather conditions: We witnessed extreme weather with our changing climate – tornadoes in December, wildfires and heat waves throughout the summer and we continue to learn of its effects on our world, air quality, land, water and ourselves. 

When we look at all of these happenings some things were finished, complete, and in the past, while other things are continuing and yet to be resolved. Life is like this – no matter the year. Things come to completion, they are fulfilled, and things carry on. 

One promise stands unshakeable – the presence and love of God remains and is fulfilled in due time. And we hear this story today of how God is with us, especially in the Christ child, Jesus. What was revealed in Genesis at the dawning of human time, and was spoken in the prophets of the promised Messiah – one to redeem and save Israel and all people – has been fulfilled, made complete, a promise realized. Jesus is born and on this day in scripture is dedicated to God and God’s people in the temple in Jerusalem. 

Our call as God’s people is then to be about this work of fulfillment. 

So be led by the Holy Spirit – like Simeon, we should foster an attitude of open heart and mind to the speaking of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We should regularly consult with the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance and clarity on our life’s journey. This comes through worship, prayer, and speaking with others who share faith. What is God speaking to us today, in this new year of 2022? How are we called to be disciples serving in the church and world? And just like Simeon embraced Jesus and praised God – how do we embrace Jesus?  

We need to also recognize Jesus in our midst. Do we take care of the church and our ministry together like Mary and Joseph took care of Jesus? This year, I urge you to make a commitment of worshipping regularly, that this community of faith into your arms, care for each other, look after one another as parents look after their newborn baby. 

And then, how are we like Anna and proclaim Jesus into the world? We see in Anna a special witness – of just how God works through all people – regardless of who they are in gender, age, ability, family line – God calls each of us to recognize him and proclaim his love to the world. 

Gracious and loving God,
We thank you for the witness of Simeon and Anna. We thank you, God, that they were able to be led and guided by the Holy Spirit so that they could recognize Jesus in their midst. Help us, Lord, to do the same today. Help us to care for your church like a mother and father care for their newborn baby. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Written by Pastor Rhonda Bostrom

Pastor Rhonda is a graduate of Midland Lutheran College and has a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Rhonda is a native Nebraskan, growing up on a farm between Hooper and Scribner.
Rhonda serves as the pastor for missions and outreach at Sheridan. Pastors Rhonda and Eric celebrate more than 24 years of marriage and have two children in high school, Annika and Soren.