Each Wednesday, a devotion is posted here, sent via email to our email list and also posted on our Facebook page. If you would like to be part of our email list please contact the church office. In addition, check out past Devotions on our Facebook page. 

I often receive feedback that the devotions are rich in content and are complex. Reading devotions whether short and concise or longer and complicated should never be read once quickly. All types of devotions should be read multiple times using contemplation, reflection and pausing. In those spaces of contemplation and reflection we experience the Holy Spirit interacting with us. Sometimes, individuals will reach out and provide their thoughts and reflections on their devotion. My intent has always been to create a dialogue. So read these in the way that best works for you to experience the Holy Spirit and create a dialogue with others in our community.

Wednesday, February 11, 2025

Hi St. Andrew’s UMC Community ….

What is the one thing people might be wishing for right now? Yes, you guessed correctly! People are wishing for the sun to melt all the snow and warm our area! Today we consider the sun and its power.

The Power of the Sun

Psalm 113:3

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was the Chief Executive Officer of the NAACP by 1920. Before that he was a principal, founded the Daily American newspaper in 1895, and in 1897 became the first African American to pass the Florida bar exam. He also was a poet and song writer, most famous for Lift Every Voice and Sing, which is considered the African American National Anthem. You can read more about him at https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/james-weldon-johnson.

One of his poems, Prayer at Sunrise, is about how the sun is a symbol of God. The sun always rises – regardless of weather. It is there, even if it can’t be seen. The sun always chases or follows darkness. The sun provides warmth and strength from which joy exists. And at the end of the prayer James is praying to God for strength and joy to be provided to others. You can read about the prayer at:

• https://poets.org/poem/prayer-sunrise 
• https://poemanalysis.com/james-weldon-johnson/prayer-at-sunrise/.

How is the sun a symbol of God for you? Is the warmth the sun provides analogous to the warmth God provides you? Is the sun a symbol that darkness is not forever and therefore a reminder that no matter what pain or crisis or challenge you are experiencing, you will overcome because of God? The sun provides sunlight that is essential for plants to survive and provides a source of Vitamin D that the body needs, so is the sun a reminder of how God provides? Where in your life do you feel that God is not providing? Or is God providing and you just don’t like what and how God is providing? The next time you see the sun or feel its warmth, may you remember God’s warmth and provisions.

Dear God, thank You for all You provide, even when I can’t see it or don’t like what You are providing. Thank You for always being present, even when I don’t feel Your presence. I choose to live into Your holy care, warmth and provisions. Amen.

(Image from: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/james-weldon-johnson)

by Rev Dave Piltz