One of the high honors that I have experienced over the past few years has been the opportunity on several occasions to serve as the chaplain for the Georgia State Senate. It is a privilege that I take seriously. I feel strongly that it is my role to inspire and encourage without any political agenda. Following is the text of the devotion I offered earlier this year at the end of a very unusual legislative session.
June 26, 2020
Devotional for Georgia State Senate
It is so great to be back with y’all. It is particularly special to join y’all for Sine Die! I guess to say that this has been an unusual session would be an understatement!
Two years ago, my son, Zach, had the privilege of serving as a page here in the Senate on Sine Die. Since it was a long day, he was serving on second shift – I picked him up at school and dropped him off about 3:30. He checked in and took his place in the line of chairs with all of the other students waiting their turn to shuttle messages between the hall and the chamber.
It also happened to be Holy Week. So, after I was sure that he was settled in, I left to go to church as I was one of the pastors leading our Maundy Thursday service. I returned to the Capitol about 9PM. I split my time between the halls visiting with friends and the gallery to catch a glimpse of Zach as he was carrying out his duties.
About 11:30, I settled into the gallery to make sure that I did not miss out on the special moment. Since I can remember, I have watched images and video of the gavel striking as the words Sine Die ring in the chamber while confetti flies through the air. I would finally experience it in person – and to make it even more special, I would do so through the eyes of my son. The icing on the cake was that as the clock struck midnight and the gavel struck to end the session, it was also the beginning of Zach’s birthday – one that he will never forget. We were talking about the experience last night as I was preparing to be with y’all today. He still talks about how awesome the entire experience was for him.
Like so much in our lives, Sine Die will look different this year.
As we all know, Sine Die means “without day” and indicates the end of the current legislative session. The expanded definition in the Merriam Webster dictionary is, “without any future date being designated (as for resumption).”
In the church, we end our time of worship with a benediction. A benediction is equal parts prayer, blessing and dismissal.
My favorite benediction comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in the third chapter beginning in the twelfth verse:
“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
I will be praying for all of you throughout the day as you conclude the work of this legislative session. My family and I thank each of you for your dedication and service to our great state.
For my prayer this morning, I want to leave you with a traditional Irish blessing followed by the traditional priestly blessing from the book of Numbers
May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!
May the Lord bless you and keep you and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen.
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