Daily Devotion - Tuesday, February 28

Another Word about Love?

Work is generally challenging and rewarding.

I work in a place where bringing health, healing and life is our primary goal. I work in a place where experiencing death, grief and loss are not supposed to happen, but they do! The reality is I journey with people in every rhythm of the life experience. One wisdom writer said, “there is a time for every season”.

There is one significant opportunity I have working in a care giving institution — the challenge to demonstrate love, care and compassion. Whether in life or in death, I can be a person whose loving spirit lets clients feel loved.

We’ve focused on the theme of love quite a bit this month. Know that you are loved!! “Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

--Ben Keckler
02.28.12

Daily Devotion - Monday, August 30

Another Week Begins

Today’s devotion comes from a Frederick Buechner sermon preached at the 200th anniversary celebration of the Congregational Church in Rupert, Vermont. Buechner writes good stuff. I like the concluding remarks in this sermon. Maybe they can help all of us as we begin a new week.

“There is plenty of work to be done down here, God knows.
To struggle each day, to walk the paths of righteousness
is no pushover,
And struggle we must because just as we are fed like sheep
in green pastures, we must also feed God’s sheep.
We must help bear each other’s burdens.
We must pray for each other.
We must nourish each other, weep with each other,
rejoice with each other.
Sometimes we must just learn to let each other alone.
In short, we must love each other. We must never forget that.”

Here's to a good week, a better week, a great week! In this present tense moment, there is much that we can, should and must do. May you be empowered for work right now!

--Ben Keckler
08.30.10