Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. 

Philippians 2:15-16

Our garden is not exactly in great shape at the moment. First, we have a construction project – hardscape/landscape – that is running significantly behind. Most of our good plants were “temporarily” placed in pots, but they have been suffering since well before we took our Florida trip in the beginning of May. Plus there is the heat and this drought, which has increased the stress on everything.

So I was pleasantly surprised, then, when I went through the side garden to access the shed and saw the day lilies doing their best to shine. “We understand the challenges right now,” the flowers seem to be saying, “but we’re going to bloom anyway. We’re going to shine our brightest regardless.”

I like that attitude! That’s good theology.

“Watch this, y’all! I’m going to bloom!”

This is, I believe the essence of what Jesus calls us to be doing in response to the world, to stress, to politics, to uncertainty, to this particular moment, to all of our concerns. It makes me think about the following hymn – it was one of my mother’s favorites and I used it to close out my remarks at her memorial service in 2023.

All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there,
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus!
(Edward Joy, 1929)

In her message this Sunday Rev. Kathryn Lester-Bacon (our “bridge interim” pastor here at HMPC) talked about the idea of “how we enter a room,” the understanding that what we bring with us into an event, a situation, a moment… has everything to do with what happens next.

Today is a new day, this is a new week, this time is possibly the entry point for so much in our lives. We can “enter this room” with Jesus.

What say we bloom our hearts out? What say, with God’s help, we shine?

“Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16).

– DEREK