Saturday, May 16, 2020

Devotional inspired by Evan Hansen

Thursday, May 14


Matthew 22:36-40 New International Version (NIV)
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
 
A couple of months ago I was listening to the musical Dear Evan Hansen, by Steven Levenson, I was driving so I didn't really pay attention to the storyline, I just noted that the lyrics of one song really hit home. This week, I revisited that song, and realized it is about each of us in some way. It was a song about our separation and the loneliness. We are a people in a modern culture, connected more through social networking than ever before in our history. We can and do communicate instantaneously with people on far sides of the globe, yet we have a hard time telling the people we love most, how we feel. Sometimes the largest separations come in the same house.
 
Somehow, somewhere in our digital age, during the time of tragedy or disaster people, pull together and reach out to those around them, usually in a digital way, that is not costly to them, but in a cheap digital tribute that makes them, and us feel better and more useful, because we have responded, to the situation.
 
Let us take time now, while we have to collectively pause, and renew the connections to those we love, to those who are disconnected and lonely.
 
Dear Evan Hansen, is a social commentary on a reality that we as Christians do not have follow. We can take action, and make connections, and serve those who may look ok on the outside, but are actually lonely and hurting inside.
 
For the moment, we may have to make do with a digital touch or hug, God's love cannot be taken away as long as we share it.
 
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to remember those who are lost, who are lonely, who are isolated and without any hope. Father help us to realize who most needs your love, and how we as a people can connect them to You.  Amen

Rex