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DEVOTION / May Day

DEVOTION / May Day

Blog, Devotions

"May Day" can be pretty confusing!

I just flipped my desk calendar to May. I imagined what it might be like to be an English Language Learner. "May Day" is a term loaded with connotations.

  • For a thousand-plus years, May Day has been celebrated in European countries to welcome the warmer weather of spring/summer.

  • Since 1889, May Day has meant a day for socialists and labor activists to fight for the rights of workers around the world.

  • If you hear a pilot calling "mayday, mayday, mayday," emergency measures need to be taken.

What does "May Day" mean to you?

What does "May Day" mean to you? Maybe lots. Maybe little.

Some look at the world around us and are ready to declare "mayday." It can be easy—even for believers—to focus on the nasty news reported each day:

  • a war in Europe

  • a world-wide pandemic

  • senseless shootings

  • persecutions of Christians

  • racial tensions

  • natural disasters and life-threatening weather

  • and fill-in-the blank.

Who can't help but be concerned?

Instead of declaring a "mayday" emergency, let's look to God and his word. Our loving Lord is in control. He is all-powerful and offers grace and mercy to a broken world. Through Jesus we have been rescued for eternity.

We have good news to share!

Some Lutheran churches use May Day for outreach. After Sunday worship, members take May flowers to neighbors. It's a great opportunity to share their Savior and a Scripture message.

Here's hope to share from the Psalms.

  • In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).

  • The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).

  • They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD (Psalm 112:7).

  • Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).

As you think on May Day, please pray that these messages of hope touch both hearts here and in China. Pray knowing that our Almighty LORD has power to change lives and spread his good news despite human obstacles or emergencies.

Source: David Payne