This devotion originally appeared Feb. 23, 2016
By Duane Stoltzfus, professor of communication
Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9 (NRSV)
For many Goshen neighbors, Saturdays begin at Rachel’s Bread (now Anna’s Bread). The line is, to be honest, slow moving, and sometimes out the door, but no one seems to complain.
Once at the counter, it can be hard to choose. Bread shoppers might take a loaf of wheatberry walnut sourdough or honey whole wheat or a baguette or a Nutella loaf. People who come to sit down for breakfast might order a pecan roll or croissant, or go the way of eggs with a quiche or frittata.
If you’re staying, you’ll want coffee in a glazed mug, which includes a refill.
The Rachel in the bakery, Rachel Shenk, who was raised in Belgium, once described her breadmaking this way: “From start to finish, it’s a slower process. It means baking bread from the best ingredients you can find, in small batches for a local community. It means making bread thoughtfully.”
Her words would be at home in Isaiah. “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread?” “Eat what is good.” “Delight yourselves in rich food.” Indeed.
Isaiah 55 extends an invitation to abundant life, though that abundant life remains elusive. We know that our thoughts are not the Lord’s thoughts, our ways are not the Lord’s ways. The Lord’s ways and thoughts are higher, like the heavens.
We also know that the road signs to that higher ground include a call to be part of a community. Bread is meant to be broken and shared. As we enter into a season when the loudest voices are calling for more and higher walls to separate us from the other, we can choose instead to think about doorways to our home and guests we might invite to our table. In community, we will have more than enough loaves to share.
Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9 (NRSV)
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. 4See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. 5See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
6Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; 7let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.