Thursday, April 24

By Jackie Porter Smith of Thornton, Colorado, USA

He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”…And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

—John 21:17 NRSV

Many years ago, a woman invited me to a women’s retreat in North Carolina. Because I lived about 60 miles from the nearest congregation, I could not attend often. I missed the companionship of those in my home congregation in Colorado.

I always approach retreats expecting to meet God there. So, I set off for the mountains of North Carolina. I missed the mountains of Colorado, as well as my congregation.

As we drove I was awestruck at the beauty of God’s creation. Already God’s blessings were raining down on me. The retreat theme was “Go and Feed My Sheep.” All weekend we talked about ways to reach out to the world, to share God’s love with friends, family, and strangers. I found love in Community of Christ 2,000 miles from home.

It is easy to connect to God and God’s plan when surrounded by others of faith in such a beautiful place. I prayed for the people of the world to know and feel this love. I prayed I would be a part of the mission to Invite People to Christ.

Sunday morning, our last service was in the chapel, high on the mountainside, overlooking a valley. As I entered the chapel, it and the whole hillside filled with billowy clouds. They covered the valley below. Nothing else was visible. It was the most awesome sight I had ever seen. Nothing but clouds everywhere! As we began to sing praises and worship, the clouds became fuller and more and beautiful.

As the speaker talked to us about our mission in the world, the clouds slowly began to lift. As we sang, “A Charge to Keep I Have,” the valley became clearly visible. The world opened to us, and the landscape become sharp, God was showing us the world and inviting us to go and “feed my sheep.”

Prayer for Peace

“God of the mountain, God of the hill, show us your Spirit, teach us your will. God of the bright cloud, God of the dawn, give us your vision, lure us on.”

—Native American, adapted

Spiritual Practice: Invite People to Christ

Read and reflect on Doctrine and Covenants 162:3b and 163:2b. Pray to be aware of people who might be receptive, and therefore blessed, by your sharing of the message of the Living Christ. Imagine being in relationship with them and inviting them to Christ. In preparation, discover your personal testimony of Christ. “Be persistent in your witness and diligent in your mission to the world.” Repeat this mantra throughout the day: “Christ’s mission, our mission, my mission.”

Peace Covenant

Today, God, I will clear the clouds from my vision to see Christ’s mission for me.