03 Love, Our Guide

As we come to All Saints Day every year in the life of the church, we remember those who have gone before us. We say the names of the departed who helped craft the communities into which we were born or were adopted.  We remember that we are part of a long legacy, sometimes troubled, often gracefully generous that makes space for our own explorations along our spiritual journeys.

Q1:  Who are the saints you remember as instrumental in supporting your practices of faith, mission, witness and more?

In Daniel 7 we read about a dream the prophet shares about the inheritances of humanity:

As for these four great beasts,

four kings shall arise out of the earth.

But the holy ones of the Most High

shall receive the kingdom

and possess the kingdom forever—

forever and ever.

In this vivid imagery, the great and powerful beasts and kings seem to lay claim to all the riches of creation, but God has other plans.  The promise of the kin-dom instead goes to the steadfast ones, the ones who love God, love neighbor and who live like this truly is the holy way to live.

Q2: Regarding those saints in your life, what did they do that showed steadfastness to God’s love, justice, mercy and grace?

The Motor City Hymns song “Love, Our Guide” written by Carl Thomas Gladstone, is a reflection on the saints, mentors, and elders who have coached us into deepening lives of faith.

“We’re surrounded
by the ones who’ve gone before
the teachers and the wise
oh, the brave, the dignified
mischief makers for the good
of all the earth.”

Listen at: motorcitywesley.org/meetups/loveourguide

Q3:  Have you ever felt caught up in the “holy mischief” of your faith mentors?

We have been shown visions of the legacy Jesus desires for us. It is a legacy of faithfulness, companionship and #goodtrouble!

ACTION:  Bring out the photo albums!

Find a picture of that saint of your church, hopefully an action shot of them knitting the baptism blanket, building the porch on the mission trip, serving the chili during hospitality week.  Post the pic and send them a thank you for the legacy of goodness they handed to you.