Have you ever been in a group of people who are all in the same place for the same reason and felt the energy of the room gathering together? For me, it’s like you’ve taken a bunch of lightning bugs and scooped them up in a jar. It’s vibrant - much brighter than they would be on their own. You can still see each one of the creatures doing their own thing and shining individually, but the energy has become something of its own. Brilliant!

My friend said she had heard it called the “collective effervescence”, and I’ve never gotten that out of my head.

At a concert, it’s later in the show when the first few notes of a favorite song comes on, and there’s an audible cheer from thousands of voices across an arena. At a potluck, it’s when only a handful of people remember to bring something, but you always end up with enough. In choir, it’s when nervous altos with only a few solid notes blend in with the larger group to create beautiful harmonies that reverberate through the hallways into one song.

We all have our preferences and our specialties. Individually, we can do many great things, but I believe the praise and new song that we’re asked to “sing” here can only happen when we assemble. It’s the creation of our collective effervescence at that instance in time. Because the group changes and what we bring changes, every time we gather and put our energy into praising the Lord together it’s a new song.

Thank you for connecting us with others in all sorts of ways. Help us find moments to come together and create new songs with what we have to give in those moments. Let the collective effervescence flow through us to you and back out into the world.

This devotion was written and read by Heather Davis.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Today’s podcast was written and read by Bernice Howard.

Our Bible verse for today is Col. 3:16 - New International Version says: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

I am not a very good singer. I have a loud voice, but sometimes I tease that I think God forgot to tune it. And while I may frequently sing off key, I can definitely make a joyful noise to the Lord, with gratitude in my heart.

I am happy that singing on key is not our assignment from Colossians Chapter 3. Let’s consider a few more verses from this Chapter for a broader look at our important assignment.

Colossians 3:12-16… ¹² “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³Bear with one another and forgive one whatever grievance you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Now we have clarification of our assignment! We need to dress ourselves properly, with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience - then “put on LOVE,” like a cloak which will bind all these together. With such beautiful garments binding us, we can joyfully sing praises to God – no matter the key in which we sing!

The Word of Christ is His Message, His Teaching, His Advice. And he gives lots of advice during His time on Earth. He gives advice to friends and enemies, to those who love Him and those who hate Him. But all this advice can be summed up in his answer to the question – “Lord, what is the greatest commandment?” To which he replied (and I paraphrase) – “LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS.”

So, clothed in LOVE, with gratitude in our hearts, let’s sing His praises…

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Listen to this special episode where we share the Scriptures used in the episodes this week.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.