This Little Light of Mine – Part I
Scripture — Isaiah 61:1 (NRSV)
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.”
Focus
As we prayed with our feet, we peacefully marched arm in arm to the beat of “This Little Light of Mine”. If you know the lyrics to that song, it will be easy to get it stuck in your head today! I hope it does. I hope the light of your leadership displays a slant of sunlight in every step you take today and this week.
Devotion
A few weeks ago, I stood on a platform with clergy from multiple faiths for an Interfaith Prayer Vigil in Los Angeles. Faith leader after faith leader got up to advocate for our common humanity, pray for the dignity and safety of our local immigrant community, and preach peace in a season of unprecedented violence. It was the most beautiful and powerful interfaith moment I have participated in for a while. Muslims and Jews, Catholics and Protestants, Sikhs, among so many. Leaders stood on the common ground that our humanity is holy. This is stronger than any differences among us or any hate.
As we prayed with our feet, we peacefully marched arm in arm to the beat of “This Little Light of Mine.” If you know the lyrics to that song, it will be easy to get it stuck in your head today! I hope it does. I hope the light of your leadership displays a slant of sunlight in every step you take today and this week.
One of the speakers, the Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith, reminded us of Isaiah 61 and the call of the church to be this light. In her own authentic way of rephrasing the words of the prophet, she boldly called us to remember that the call of the church is for the purposes of the Spirit. It is a high calling to declare “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me…” or even, communally upon us as faith leaders, no matter the context.
As we sit here just a few weeks after Pentecost Sunday, may we be emboldened by this Pentecost Spirit to live into this anointing during ordinary time (in the liturgical calendar).
To bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted.
Reflect
What is some “bad news” in your community that tugs at your heart? Where are the brokenhearted? What is broken near or far?
Act
How can you live into bringing “good news” to your community? What concrete action would be good news to an individual/friend/neighbor? What local organization is “good news” to the community that you could volunteer/serve at for a season?
Pray
God of the anointing, may your Spirit fall upon your church with the same power that it fell upon the prophets and prophetesses. May your Spirit fuel the calling of your church to action like the prophet Isaiah prophesied. May your Spirit accomplish the purpose for which you sent it, to bring good news to the afflicted and power to bind the wounds of the brokenhearted. May the light of God’s Spirit be exactly that, a light. Amén.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Work’s Ultimate Meaning (Isaiah 60 ff.).
Inés Velásquez-McBryde
Chaplain at Fuller Theological Seminary & Pastor, Preacher, Speaker
Inés Velásquez-McBryde is a pastor, preacher, reconciler and mujerista theologian. She is the lead pastor and co-founder of The Church We Hope For. She is originally from Nicaragua, a third generation pastor, and the first pastora in her family. Inés earned her MDiv at Fuller Theolo...