Martin Luther was born on this day in 1483. Although Martin would describe his family as being poor, in reality his father, Hans, was an ambitious man working to rise in the emerging middle class. Maybe he was already planning that baby Martin would someday become a lawyer like some of his wife’s relatives. Hans was sorely disappointed when in 1505 Martin became an Augustinian monk. Even then, no one could have foreseen that Martin Luther would become one of the greatest minds of his age. His relentless pursuit of the truth as revealed in Scripture and his longing for the grace of God would transform the world.
 

I don’t think you can ever know exactly what your life is going to be like. It’s doesn’t matter how young or old you are life always takes unexpected turns. While it is unlikely that most of us will cause the dramatic changes in the world that Martin Luther did, we should never underestimate the way we can affect other people–for good or for ill. Every once in awhile someone that I knew 20 years ago or more contacts me to say what an impact I had on them. The Holy Spirit works in all people who put their trust in Christ. As Luther wrote in the Small Catechism: I believe “. . . the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith.” 

Happy Birthday, Martin. Thanks for showing us the power of faith.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:7 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

Today’s reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%205:7