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Scripture: 3 John 1:5-8: Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you; they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; for they began their journey for the sake of Christ, accepting no support from non-believers. Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth. Abridged: The ability to love deeply and completely and then to let go and move away requires a gift of faith and understanding of how God’s love encompasses all, no matter time and location. Meditation: People who desire to be devoted to following the way of Jesus in the world must confront an inevitable paradox with regard to loving God’s entire created universe while at the same time remaining detached enough from it to be able to respond willingly to the Holy Spirit moving freely from the created to the unrealized purposes of God. A person devoted to serving God’s purpose in the world must learn to love deeply and without reservation all of the people who are in their present circumstance, and not withhold any part of him or herself that would be of benefit to others. God pours an unending stream of love and grace through people who are working to follow the way of Jesus so that others can likewise receive these divine gifts. People desiring to follow the way of Jesus have a servant’s heart empowered by God’s love that unites them with all people. Yet, when the Holy Spirit compels the servant to move to another place where divine love and grace must also be shared, the servant must be detached enough from their present circumstance to respond to their most prominent attachment to God. The ability to participate in this paradox (to love deeply and completely and then to let go and move away) requires a gift of faith and understanding of how God’s love encompasses all, no matter time and location. Prayer: In the midst of tragedy, you are with us. In the midst of trial and tribulation, you are there. In the midst of pain and agony, you bring comfort. In the midst of loneliness and despair, you bring hope. In the midst of darkness, you offer light. In the hour of our death, you bring us to eternal life. In this moment of prayer, you hear our voice and grant us your peace. Thank you, Loving God, for your presence in Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen Enter password: .