"Midweek and It Takes Courage" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 09/24/2019

Good morning—

On Sunday I talked about the courage it takes to speak up.  In Mark 10:46-52, Bartimaeus was blind, sitting in the ditch on the side of the road.  He was an outcast, an embarrassment, but when Jesus walked by he spoke up.  He drew attention to himself. The crowd tried to shush him, but he would not be silenced.  He spoke up, and through his courage, the crowd witnessed a miracle.

Yesterday Greta Thunberg spoke to the United Nations.  She is a 16-year-old student from Sweden.  The entire world watched.  As she was invited to speak, she squirmed a bit, adjusted the microphone, sat up straight, looked at the crowd, and for 5 minutes, spoke her convictions.  (If you want to hear what she said go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAJsdgTPJpU.)  Courage. 

The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples for the transformation of the world.  This too takes courage. 

There is something compelling about courage.  When I see a courageous act taken on behalf of others, it is hard to look away.  It inspires me. I think it inspires the world. 

For the last few years, I have been worried that we have worn out the word “love.”  We have made it small and inconsequential.  We love pizza, puppies, and when our team wins.  We say we “love” those things, but this is really preference and love is so much more than that.  So I have been collecting synonyms for love, words like mercy, forgiveness, compassion, justice, welcoming, acceptance.  These are things Jesus did as an expression of love.  I am adding “courage” to the list.   I think courage carried out on behalf others is a form of love.  Jesus on the cross, arms outstretched, offering his entire self, courage. 

The world does not look like God’s intention.  There is too much hunger, too many people living in poverty, too much violence, too much greed, too many people disregarded, and listening to Greta, too much destruction happening to our planet.  But there is courage and courage can transform the world.  

In what ways is God asking you to be courageous?  

God bless the courageous. 

Blessings,

Pastor Cindy

Pastor Cindy Hickman

West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826

Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.

We worship on Sunday mornings at 8:30 in a traditional way and at 11 in a casual way.  We would love to worship with you. 

Coming Up at WDMUMC

I GOOFED!  I printed the wrong date for the Habitat Panel Build in the bulletin last weekend!  The Habitat Panel Build is Saturday, October 5th!  There are shifts available from 7 am-4:45.  You can go to https://gdmhabitat.secure.force.com/volunteer/VolunteersJobListingFSC?jobId=a0G61000006R3IN&nMonthsToShow=4 to sign up.  Building a home is a great way to transform the world! 

Wednesday Programming beings this Week!

• Happy Hour Bible Study at 5 pm.
• Youth and Children’s Bells at 5 pm.
• Children’s Choirs at 5:30
• Midweek Refuel Begins this Week!  Supper’s on from 5:30-6:30 on Wednesday. 
• Praise Band at 6 pm.
• Midweek Connection, activities and education for children and families, begins at 6:30.
• Youth Group at 6:15.
• Yada Yada Tweens at 6:30
• The In-Between Parents Conversation 7:00
• Chancel Choir 7:30
• and you are invited to all of this!

NAMI Walk, Saturday morning.  The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill is hosting a walk on Saturday, Sept 28 at Terra Lake Park in Johnston.  Go to https://namiiowa.org/ for details or just come to the park at 10!

Financial Peace University!  Sunday at 3 pm.  Want to control your money, rather than having it control you?  Financial Peace can help! 

Let your faithful courage transform the world today!