The Upper Room devotional reflection for Sunday, May 1, 2022 comes to us from Hisako Adachi of Kanagawa, Japan.
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:12-18 NIV
“A Tiny Puddle”
On my way to work this morning, I looked up at the sky. The rain during the night had stopped, and I could see blue sky between and parting clouds. The edges of the clouds were shining in the morning sun. I was moved by the great beauty of nature that God has created, and I slowed down to gaze at the sky. Then I noticed a small puddle on the ground. It was surrounded by pebbles and mud. However, a portion of the beautiful sky above was reflected in the surface of the puddle. Then I thought, The beautiful sky is like God, and we humans are like the puddle!
In contrast to the huge sky, the puddle was tiny. Yet its tranquil surface reflected and showed me the beauty of the sky. What about me? Is my heart tranquil and peaceful? Not always. My heart is troubled from time to time. On Sundays, I go to church and feel peaceful. But when I am back in everyday life, I sometimes find myself getting irritated. I want to be like the puddle – tiny but peaceful, reflecting God’s love and sharing it with others.
Friends –
I truly appreciate Hisako Adachi’s image of humans reflecting God’s image. We become the windows through whom God’s creative, loving grace is made known in our world. Once again, we are reminded that like that little puddle, we reflect God back to the world because we are Blessings from God, so that we can be Blessings to those around us.
--Pastor bea
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for offering your great love to us. Calm our souls, and use us to reflect your love. Amen.
--Hisako Adachi
Prayer Focus:
Those who travel to work
Thought for the Day:
When my heart is at peace, I can reflect God’s great love.