I find myself in the strange situation of writing this devotion before the General Conference, though it will not be read until after this worldwide body completes its work. Based on the work of past General Conferences, the one thing in which I have confidence is that it is impossible to know the outcome of the important work that they do. So, I write this without knowing what changes, if any, have been made to our polity and practice and what consequences might come from the decisions that are made. Thus, I am left clinging to the promise from Psalm 46, which is the theme of the 2020 General Conference, “…and know that I am God.”
At the beginning of Psalm 46, the psalmist declares that God is a steadfast foundation, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Whatever happens at the General Conference, God is still God. God is still the foundation of hope. God is still our mooring when the rest of life is filled with turbulence. Twice in the psalm, we are reminded that “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” The God in whom we believe is not absent or aloof, but present with us. Of course, as Christians, the presence of God is at the heart of our proclamation. We believe in a God who became incarnate in Jesus Christ. We believe in a God, whose ongoing presence is made manifest in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Not only is God a transcendent foundation, but God is also an immanent companion.
This leads to the words of comfort and challenge offered in this week’s lectionary readings from John 15:9-17 and 1 John 5:1-6. Both passages highlight the importance of love. In the Gospel lesson, Jesus accentuates both God’s love and his own love for the disciples. This love elevates the disciples from a position of servant to the place of friend. The key to this identity is abiding in the love God offers.
While living in the knowledge and acceptance of love transforms our inner being, love never ends with oneself. Hence, both passages highlight the need to not only experience God’s love but to become persons who share that love. The fruit that we are called to bear is the fruit of love, which always enhances and vitalizes the lives of others. While love is rooted in our understanding of who God is (doctrine), its evidence is in our interactions with others (ethics).
So …. What does this have to do with anything? While I do not know what the General Conference will do, I am absolutely confident that God is our foundation. I am absolutely sure that God is love and that love is freely and eternally shared with me. I am absolutely sure that whatever happens, my mission to share that love will not change. Whatever is decided and whatever happens, I know that in my ministry, in my relationships, and in my life I will lean into the invitation to “… know that I am God.”
