SVLC DEVOTION FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023

I had just started in this role of Speaker of The Lutheran Hour and was serving as a guest preacher at a church. Someone recognized me, started walking toward me, and I recognized him, which is always a relief when you recognize the person who recognizes you. He comes over to say hello and is pleased that I remembered him. And I am pleased with myself that I remember him. See, people tell me stories about this other man who held this position of Lutheran Hour Speaker, years before me—Dr. Ozzie Hoffmann. “Dr. Hoffmann had a photographic memory,” they say. “He’d never forget a name. Even if he only met you once, years later, he’d take one look at you, and call you by name.”

So, I was pleased with myself, being there at that church, remembering that man. I had been in the role only a short while, so he said, “Speaker of The Lutheran Hour! Pretty impressive. How does it feel to be famous?” I told him I was still getting used to it. Just then, his pastor comes over, and my old friend introduces me. He says, “Pastor, this is our new Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, but I knew him before he was famous.” And I say, “It’s good to know who your true friends are, Brad.” He smiles, puts his hand on my shoulder, and says, “It’s Brandon. My name’s Brandon.”

I don’t enjoy looking the fool any more than the next guy, but I do appreciate moments like that because they help me take myself less seriously. Now, most everyone likes to look good in front of other people—friends, boss, teammates, anyone who’s important to them. Everyone likes to look their best. But I think there’s an extra amount of pressure on Christians. We don’t want to give a bad witness. We want to be good representatives of Jesus. And if we approach this calling in a certain way, we can put a lot of pressure on ourselves. And it puts us in danger of taking ourselves too seriously.

This is why the Bible is so refreshing. The Bible is full of accounts that help us take ourselves less seriously, and God, more so. All the merely human heroes of the Bible are normal people, like you and me, deeply flawed and dearly loved by the God who made them. The biblical storyteller puts them on display for us not to excuse or conceal their faults, but to reveal what the God of Israel is doing for them and in them and through them, despite those faults.

Take Gideon, for example, from the Old Testament book of Judges. The New Testament lists Gideon as a hero of the faith, a model of faith. But how is Gideon a model of faith? To fully appreciate the answer, you just need to hear his story. Go and read it—the whole story—aloud with a friend and see what God reveals to you. You can find it in Judges, chapters 6-8. And, if you like, you can hear me retell some of the events of Gideon’s life on this week’s Lutheran Hour sermon. Join us and experience Gideon’s fragile, fearful, exemplary faith. And maybe his example will help you take yourself less seriously, and God, more so.

WE PRAY: Dear Father, make me strong, like Gideon, out of weakness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you have a memory that helps you take yourself less seriously?

2. Who would be uplifted to hear your story? When could you share it with him or her?