The God Pause Daily Devotional for Sunday, 4 February 2018 - The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling," ELW 608
1. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,calling for you and for me.
See, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.
Refrain: "Come home, (Come home,)
come home! (come home!)
You who are weary, come home."
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, "O sinner, come home!"
2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
mercies for you and for me?
Refrain: "Come home, (Come home,)
come home! (come home!)
You who are weary, come home."
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, "O sinner, come home!"
3. Oh, for the wonderful love he has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.
Refrain: "Come home, (Come home,)
come home! (come home!)
You who are weary, come home."
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, "O sinner, come home!"
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come home! (come home!)
You who are weary, come home."
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, "O sinner, come home!"
***
There is much to do in the life of faith, and the work is never done. We hear this week in and week out in scripture, in the news, in our private lives. And sometimes we are wearied by it all. At times it feels as though the weight of the world rests on our shoulders. Working for justice and peace and spreading the gospel are important and imperative. However, there is also necessity in our faith to "come home" to Jesus and answer his beckoning call to rest.
The truth of the matter is that we cannot effectively do our active ministry if we are not rejuvenated and refreshed by time with God ourselves. Jesus calls for us to take that rest in him. In Matthew he states "Come to me you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens" (11:28). So, come home sinners, be refreshed and then get back out there!
Breath of life, breathe your peace-giving Spirit upon us all. Call us home into your strengthening Word and loving arms, so we may be revived in our ministry of spreading your gospel in word and deed. Amen.
Katie Emery, '12
Pastor, Hope American Lutheran Church, Fallon, Mont. and Community Presbyterian Church, Terry, Mont.
The truth of the matter is that we cannot effectively do our active ministry if we are not rejuvenated and refreshed by time with God ourselves. Jesus calls for us to take that rest in him. In Matthew he states "Come to me you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens" (11:28). So, come home sinners, be refreshed and then get back out there!
Breath of life, breathe your peace-giving Spirit upon us all. Call us home into your strengthening Word and loving arms, so we may be revived in our ministry of spreading your gospel in word and deed. Amen.
Katie Emery, '12
Pastor, Hope American Lutheran Church, Fallon, Mont. and Community Presbyterian Church, Terry, Mont.
The Luther Seminary
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