For example, a gardener or a farmer can't physically make seeds grow. What they do is to prepare the soil, plant the seed, cultivate and fertilize, but the harvest will come. God is still in charge of the harvest! That truth ought to bring us great peace within. It should give us confidence that our job, as Christians, is simply to be faithful, constantly trusting in the marvelous truth that all things remain in God's hands, including the church and including ourselves. As we are in the midst of a synod assembly today, along with hundreds of other delegates and pastors from around the Central-Southern Illinois Synod, we continue to pray for the gift of faithfulness. The church remains in God's hands. Our responsibility is to keep the faith . . . for it is our faith in a God who is bringing his Kingdom to us, who provides us all that we will ever need. Trust God and keep the faith!  Remember the parables of Jesus.

PRAYER: O God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.