On Earth As It Is In Heaven (Part 2 of 2)
By Roslyn Catracchia, Director of Worship
If you read my devotional from yesterday (entitled “There You Are!”), you know that I had another meaningful experience at CPK, which led to a meaningful memory, which led to a meaningful conversation with First Prez members Jim and Carole Hickerson to confirm that memory, and which led to so much MORE!
After Jim confirmed that I had remembered his story right, he said, “I thought you were asking about another story that had to do with The Lord’s Prayer.” And as he recounted the story, I did remember!
After two or three years of being a prisoner of war (POW), there was another occasion for yet another “quiz,” which meant the POWs were going to “get beat on.” They had to put on their long sleeves and long pants for the quiz. The guards came by that day and told Jim to put on his long sleeves and long pants. Then they told him to lean against the wall with his arms stretched out, hands against the wall, legs pulled back. Jim was not allowed to speak or move. After a while, standing that way got awfully hard. His legs were hurting and his arms were hurting. Then at one point, he just whispered to himself The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.”
“Thy will be done ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.”
It hit him all of a sudden. “Wait a minute! God’s here! He’s here! And the knowledge of that truth just washed over me, and I knew I was gonna be okay,” Jim said. “When they came and got me, I went for the “quiz,” which wasn’t as bad as I thought it could have been. I felt so much stronger and better knowing that God was there with me.”
So much of Jesus’ ministry was sharing stories and parables. Sometimes we can connect to a story in a way that simple bullet points or scientific theories can’t. I’m a person who loves a good story. I can read a good book over and over, watch a good movie again and again. And I love to share time with friends and family, listening to them tell true stories about their lives. Stories of pain and heartache, stories of love and bravery. Real life.
It’s Thanksgiving this week. There are many crazy difficult things going on in our lives, in our state, our country, throughout the world. But 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
I’m looking for and finding opportunities to thank God, to tell Him how grateful I am. We’re gonna be okay.
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears,
All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world, He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass. He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world! Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
(Lyrics to the Hymn “This Is My Father’s World)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You. Just thank You. Amen.
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