Today’s readings: Esther 1:1–4, 10–19; Acts 17:1–15; John 12:36b–43

Sue Monk Kidd wrote in her book The Secret Life of Bees: “I hadn’t been out to the hives before, so to start off she gave me a lesson in what she called ‘bee yard etiquette.’ She reminded me that the world was really one bee yard, and the same rules work fine in both places. Don’t be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don’t be an idiot; wear long sleeves and pants. Don’t swat. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates while whistling melts a bee’s temper. Act like you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t. Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved.”*

In the lesson from Acts 17, you see crowds of people wanting to be loved. They find that love in the proclamation of the gospel as preached by Paul and Silas. Then you find another group who reject God’s love and embrace legalism and tradition. They saw these followers of Jesus as “turning the world upside down” (Acts 17:6)!

Would you commit with me to try and turn the world where we live upside down for the love of Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, help us to commit and make a difference. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Thomas W. Corbell, Pastor of  Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church in Statesville, NC.

Original image   •   *Kidd, Sue Monk (2002). The Secret Life of Bees. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

Tomorrow’s readings: Esther 2:5–8, 15–23; Acts 17:16–34; John 12:44–50