As a fourteen year old girl kneeling at the altar rail on Confirmation Day, I was listening intently to the Scripture verses that were given to those around me — because I knew which one I wanted! And then it happened — someone else got MY verse. Disappointed, I listened as my pastor came to me. At the time the words he read did not mean a lot to me, “Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2. Ok I got the singing part, I liked to do that. But SERVE THE LORD? With GLADNESS? Little did I or the pastor know how meaningful that verse would become to me. Now I, along with thousands of other Lutheran women, do indeed serve the Lord with gladness.
Have you thought about your confirmation verse lately? Is it a special promise that the Lord is fulfilling in your life? Is it a directive to guide your daily activities? Is it a word of comfort or strength that you cling to in difficult times? There are no coincidences. God directed your pastor to select just the right verse for you. If you have not thought about your verse for some time, find it and see how it relates to your life in Christ today.
Judy Lessmann
Gulf States District President
2014-2018