Daily Devotion - Tuesday, April 21

Six Years Later

“They will build houses and dwell in them,
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.”
--From the Prophecies of Isaiah

NOTE: I am sending this devotion today because it was written SIX years ago. We need to be reminded of how slow progress really is; how long it takes to follow through on headlines!

The headlines this morning said that the war is winding down and it would be easy to think that this will mean that the troops will soon be back home. As the war winds down, the vast work of mending begins. Many will not be able to return quickly because a war torn area needs to create a new direction. Many others will have to pack their bags here and go to Iraq to help in the building of houses and the planting of vineyards.

Lester Brown in his book Building A Sustainable Society writes, “We have not inherited the earth from our fathers, we are borrowing it from our children.” This is a statement that deserves some attention as we continue to do our part as responsible partners with a fractured world. I personally would say, “We have inherited the earth AND we are also borrowing the earth from our children.”

I've been privileged to travel among the small towns of developing nations. In our lives we have opportunities to grow in our awareness about how much work needs to be done to help move this world toward health and peace. Let’s all work to “wind up their energies” as the war winds down.

Prayer: God of the new heavens and new earth, empower me to do my part in mending a fractured world. Amen.

--Ben Keckler
04.21.09

Daily Devotion - Monday, April 20

Gardens of Eden

“The Lord God took the man and put him
in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
--from the Creation stories of Genesis

The weekend was filled with natural beauty. The asparagus grew almost three inches, the perennials are coming out of the earth and growing, and those with allergies used up more kleenex than they wanted to! It is good to get out in the yard and experience the rejuvenation of Mother Earth. How wonderful it is to have our little “Gardens of Eden” to work them and care for them!

The weekend was filled with inspiration. Here in Indianapolis thousands joined in the annual Race for the Cure, giving a powerful witness about how we care for creation (one another). We are looking for, discovering and refining methodologies for treating disease. Attending to the needs of creation can be done in minor and major ways. All the various ways are important to the whole of creation.

For many the rhythm of life moves to the workplace today. Our workplaces are also garden spots, places where we will be challenged and where we will commit ourselves to making creation a better place. May the Creator who empowers us bless your day.

Prayer: Thanks to you, O God, for the opportunity to work and care for your garden.

--Ben Keckler
04.20.09