A Devotion for the Commoners

Last Saturday, I woke up earlier than I normally do. Probably earlier than I ever have on a Saturday. I stayed in my pajamas, threw on my fancy fascinator and headed over to a friend’s house for a Royal Wedding viewing party.

Maybe you’re a fellow Anglophile and joined me in watching the crowds, the commentators, and the general hubbub. Maybe you couldn’t care less about a wedding happening across the world between 2 strangers.

But regardless, none of us were immune from the press coverage surrounding the event, most notably the surprising sermon from American Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry. His pulpit-pounding,

I’ve heard all sorts of reactions to Bishop Curry’s sermon. Some loved it. Some thought it was too long-winded, or somehow inappropriate for a wedding sermon.

Because the honest truth is that Bishop Curry’s sermon wasn’t just for Meghan and Harry; it was never supposed to be.

Bishop Curry knew he had one chance to proclaim to the world a deep and powerful truth. And what was his refrain? Love, love, love.

Not just mushy-gushy romantic love that compels us to fawn over wedding dresses and flowers.

But powerful, earth-flipping, kingdom shattering, life and death altering LOVE.

Here is a snippet of Bishop Curry’s sermon:

“The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr once said, and I quote: ‘We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world, for love is the only way.’

There's power in love. Don't underestimate it. Don't even over-sentimentalize it. There's power, power in love.”

Naming love as important and powerful at a wedding isn’t a revolutionary act. We have all been to plenty of weddings chock full of 1 Corinthians 13 and Song of Songs references.

But what is revolutionary is that Bishop Curry took the opportunity to name what a world transformed by the power of love might look like:

“When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the earth will be a sanctuary.  When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields, down by the riverside, to study war no more.

When love is the way, there's plenty good room - plenty good room - for all of God's children.”

His description is captivating. It brought tears to my eyes with its raw beauty.

But for us to truly grasp at this love that Bishop Curry is describing, the love of God that transforms everything around it, we must also think about what this transformative love looks like in our own contexts.

Maybe it’s: “When love is the way, all my clients will have safe, strong homes.”

Or, “When love is the way, storms will never leave another child or family in danger again.”

Or even, “When love is the way, our Disaster Recovery work will be complete. The work will be finished, homes restored, communities recovered, and sanctuary found.”

What it your dream of redemptive, transformative love for your work?

What dream do you have for your communities that could be realized through the transformative, redemptive love-work of Disaster Recovery?

Friends, let’s dream big. You have all been called, equipped, and sent out. You are capable and worthy of this life-altering work. Let’s dream with our clients, our churches, and our communities and get to work transforming the world. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Love,

Chaplain Amy