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Reading
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Devotion
At the request of a reader, today we're looking at some of the stained glass in my church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Leavenworth, KS. We are the first church of the first city of Kansas, the church becoming incorporated in 1856. Our current building dates from 1865. These windows are a much later addition, however. Like most stained glass they tell a story. The top photo shows the two primary windows surmounted by a triple window that provides an iconic summary of St. Paul's story. The presence of the Spirit hovers above all. The small round window on the left shows the "Sword of the Spirit" in Latin from Ephesians 6:17. The small round window on the right displays a writ with the words from 1 Corinthians 1:1 showing Paul's bone fides to speak. The two larger windows below, showcase two of the most important aspects of Paul's life--his initial call in Acts 9 and his proclamation on Mars Hill in Acts 17.
I love the play of the colors in these windows. I can stand for hours tracing the various hues of blue and the patterns of light in the glass. The vibrant red which supports and frames the blues creates a visual image of passion and energy coming from beyond. The light that enlightens on the kneeling figure on the left enfolds and enhances the messenger on right. There are countless details in the figures on the right.
As you might imagine I love the story of Paul, once Saul. Persecutor transformed by an encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road into missionary extraordinaire speaking to anyone and everyone about the Love of God in Christ available to all--Gentile, Jew, male, female, slave, free--no exceptions!
At the bottom of the two large windows are a couple of sentences. On the left, the conversion scene, we read "Believe in the Lord Jesus." On the right, it reads "Lord, what will thou have me do?" Those two sentences capture the essence of the spiritual life. First, believe!!! Believe in what? Believe in Jesus, the one who incarnates God's love into the world and seeks to draw all within a saving embrace. That belief then leads to questions about what we ought to do now that we have had a holy encounter? What is the Spirit leading us to do? For some of us, we just can't help ourselves and must share the Good News! How about you, gentle reader? Can I help you pray through and find an answer to "Lord, what will thou have me do?" Send me a note at priestjere@stpaulslvn.org and let's talk.
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 832)