Read: Hebrews 5:5-10

“Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him…” – Hebrews 5:8-9

When I saw this verse, I thought of this section of St. Patrick’s Breastplate:

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Christ suffered for all of us, and dying on the Cross means salvation. For me, that also means that Christ is with me in my day, and that gives me hope, especially when I am having a day where it seems like everything is going wrong.

Surround me, O God, and assure me of your presence. Amen.
-Jen McCabe

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God— not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10

It is good to know that God has quickened me and that through his grace I am saved. We have all sinned, in some way, in the flesh. It is the way of the world that we live in.

I am very thankful that God has given me faith, through which I am saved, by his good work of grace.

Jesus Christ taught by example. He was always doing good works. Though it is not by doing these that we are saved, lest we boast. “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”

Even in my most trying times, I remember this attitude and find comfort and hope in these words and many others in the Bible. “I yam what I yam.” In Popeye’s words. I need to live with that and make the most of it. And be happy.

Help us to live with who we are, ever drawing closer to you. Amen.
-Paul Lowe

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:8-10

I haven’t always identified as “Christian,” but I sure as heck identify as a sinner saved by grace. My born-again mother instilled that belief in me, and it’s a virtue for which I give thanks rather than take credit.

Lord, hold me in the faith that salvation depends less on my worthiness than upon your grace. Amen.
-Michael Boss

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” – Ephesians 2:8

It’s funny how I never feel saved, and yet I simultaneously know that I am. My feelings come and go; they’re transient. The word of God lasts forever, however, and more especially the One who is the Word of God. My feelings come and go, and that’s OK. Feelings are real, but they don’t drive me. If they did, I’d often be dead in the water, or like a steam locomotive stuck on the tracks without steam. I had a friend explain to me one time that “faith is the locomotive, but feelings are the caboose. They’re all part of the train, but it’s the locomotive that provides the power, not the caboose.”

I have always found metaphors helpful in my faith journey. I get too confused when talking about theology or philosophy. I need concrete imagery. I realize that can sometimes cause problems. Every metaphor breaks down. It’s like thinking of God as Father; that’s great if one had a good father, as I did. But many don’t, and my Dad was far from perfect. But he did the best he could. God doesn’t try. God does. Pronouns don’t always work. I still use masculine pronouns, mostly out of habit, but strive to use feminine ones, too. The important thing for me is knowing that none of us gets God all that well (but “God gets us”). We do the best we can, and the lion’s share (another metaphor) of scripture reminds us that we’re all in God’s hands, anyway. That gives me hope to carry on in faith. It also helps when I get my caboose to church!

Dear God, help me to remember that my strength is not to be seen by my standing alone, but by standing in the middle of many, through whom I may better see my hope. Amen.
-Fr. Keith Axberg