“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

It is an occupational hazard… when I visit a new town or city across the United States I often look to see if there is a UCC congregation nearby, even if I’m not going to be in town to attend Sunday worship. Last summer, I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to celebrate a family member’s birthday and I knew that there was a historic UCC congregation in downtown Charleston. Circular Church is one of the oldest continuously worshipping congregations in the South. They also have a historic burying ground surrounding their church building with gravestones dating back to 1729.

While New England is filled with Protestant and UCC history, it was interesting to see our shared church history in a different light in Charleston. There was a familiar “God is Still Speaking” banner hanging on a fence outside of the church. But there were also palm trees lining the church yard which made it clear that I was no longer in New England!

I was reminded of my visit to Circular Church and their historic burying ground when reading this Scripture passage from Romans. The Apostle Paul writes how death does not separate us from the love of God. As Christians we believe that death does not have the final word. We are invited to remember life after death through the words carved onto a headstone from 1741, “departed this life…” Christianity is about believing that death does not have the final word. We are Resurrection people!

While we cannot safely gather in church buildings, like the one pictured here in Charleston, or your own beloved sanctuary, we must remember that nothing can separate us from God’s love.

My question for you is: what separates you from feeling God’s love? I encourage you to reflect on your previous week or even just the past 24 hours. Is there a friendship or relationship nagging at you and causing you to feel separated from God’s love? Do you have a burden you are carrying which might be in the way of allowing you to feel God’s love? Or maybe you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. When we feel separate from God’s love, how can we unburden and reconnect with God who is already there waiting for us, ready to love us?

God’s love abounds throughout time and place. From Circular Church and the historic burying ground in Charleston, South Carolina, to First Congregational Church of Wareham, Massachusetts, and everywhere in between, we cannot be separated from God’s loving presence. Let us rejoice in the good news! Amen.

This devotional was originally published via email on July 21, 2020 and written for First Congregational Church of Wareham, MA.