(our theme for September)

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit musical Hamilton. As a lover of both history and musicals, what’s not to love? But my love for it stretches far beyond combining two of my passions in life. I find myself so drawn to it due to how it handles the clashing personalities of the characters and their attitudes towards the future.

Our main protagonists in the musical are the well-known political rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. These characters serve as polar opposites to each other on multiple fronts, most notably among them, how they perceive the notion of what is to come.

Hamilton is portrayed as an impatient yet boisterous go-getter and is said to “write like he’s running out of time” and like he needs it to survive. He is such a go-getter and works himself to the point he blatantly refuses when his wife, Eliza, encourages him to take a break. A common theme associated with the character of Alexander Hamilton is the fact that he is consumed by concern about the legacy he will leave behind. He is a believer in doing everything he can to achieve his future hope as soon as humanly possible.

Then on the other hand, we have Aaron Burr. During his song entitled “Wait for It”, we see that Burr is a far more patient and reserved man than his adversary. He feels that his future is not set and stone, and reiterates that if there is a reason he’s still alive, then he is willing to wait for it instead of working at breakneck speed to see that reason to fruition like Hamilton. Additionally, he ponders what it is like in his adversary’s shoes, commenting that his pace is relentless, he does not waste time, and has something to prove but nothing to lose. However, Burr stays true to being willing to wait for good to come his way instead of rushing to achieve it like he is running out of time.

I know I am certainly guilty of having Alexander’s impatient nature when waiting for good things to come from work I’ve done; I believe this is simply human nature. Waiting is often a hard task. However, I’ve also been able to look at this through the perspective of Burr and being more willing to wait and go with the flow. But whether we find ourselves looking at what’s to come as a Hamilton or a Burr, regardless we are on God’s timing. God is actively guiding us towards our future hope he has planned and will not abandon us as we make our way towards it. This future hope is promised, but we just have to be willing to be patient and wait for it or to work towards it.

God, forgive us for being impatient while we wait for what’s to come and help us to remember that we live on your time and so long as we are patient, you will help us to see the fruits of our labor. So long as our hope is placed in you, may we always remember that our future hope will be bright and will not be forsaken by you. In your name, amen.

This devotion was written and recorded by Grace Jonas.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at

(our theme for September)

The Apostle Paul wrote this wonderful news to believers in Rome and everywhere. Paul wanted all believers to be totally assured of how much God loves us.

Henri Nouwen, considered one of the great spiritual writers of our day, taught at Harvard, Yale, and Notre Dame. In his book Life of the Beloved, he wrote these words:

We only have to seek Him to find Him. His LOVE is waiting to give us Peace. All we have to do is believe and reach for Him.

God of LOVE – I believe. I am reaching. Let me feel your great LOVE today and every day! Amen!

This devotional was written and read by Bernice Howard.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

(our theme for September)

Some people are inspiring to be around. We feel good in their presence. They improve the quality of our lives and make us want to be a better person.

Hilliard Hester is one of those people for me. Hilliard lives in the same apartment building that I do and sometimes we have breakfast together. I go to the dining room around 7am directly from my apartment but he comes from the gym where he has been working out for 45 minutes or so. Hilliard is 93 years old.

The thing about him that inspires me most is not that he works out regularly at his age, though that’s certainly impressive , but it’s that he has what the writer of Proverbs calls “a cheerful heart.” He always has a smile, often tells a joke (they are corny but always clean), and he lifts the mood for everyone around him. His good humor is not the cynical kind that is so common today, but clearly comes from embracing God’s goodness in a way that makes his life, and through him, my life, positive.

The Bible speaks often of joy. It is a major theme in the Psalms. When an angel come to some night workers to announce the birth of the savior of the world the angel says his news will bring great joy to all people. Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians.

So why are we so gloomy? Because we get our news from the world and not from the angels. A broken spirit saps our strength. But a cheerful heart is good medicine. Thank you, Hilliard, for constantly reminding me live a life of joy.

Dear God, I know I can trust you: today, tomorrow, forever. Because I can trust you, release in me a cheerful heart. Amen.

Today's devotional was written and read by Herb Sadler.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.