Joy in the Journey: One of the 72

Published June 15, 2025

This week’s Vespers are written by Drew East, a rising 10th grader and an active member at Community of Faith, who recently served as a NOVA District youth delegate to the Virginia Annual Conference for the second year in a row. He was asked to write a devotional reflection and then share it with the other youth delegates on the last night of Conference in Roanoke. It is shared below and fits perfectly with our summer sermon series, Road Trip!  Kudos to Drew!

Opening Prayer 

Lord of the harvest, thank you for the ways You call and send us. As we reflect on the joy and power of being sent by Jesus, open our hearts to Your purpose. May we embrace this mission with faith, courage, and a deep sense of purpose. Bless our vespers and our youth as they step out in faith to share their gifts with the community.  Stir within each of us a renewed passion for Your kingdom. Amen.  

Breaking the Ice  

If you could take a spiritual road trip, visiting places that deepen your faith, where would you go and why?

Reflection  

Our theme tonight is “the joy and power of being sent,” and I find this especially fitting for the last night of Annual Conference. We have all been sent here, to Conference, for a variety of reasons - to learn, to serve, to advocate, to connect. I’m sure there are many other reasons. 

The bible talks a lot about being sent places, both metaphorically and literally. Luke 10:1-12 is about how Jesus sent out seventy-two men to do the work of God, healing and spreading the gospel. One powerful quote from this passage is in verse two, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” There are not enough people willing to listen to the word of God and spread it to others. 

Yet, we all have taken that opportunity by being here. We are all, one of the 72, sent by the Lord to live fully in his Word, and teach those who aren’t. I know plenty of kids that would do anything to NOT be here, but we have been sent out by the Lord to come back again, and again. There’s a lot of power in that, and in that power, comes joy.  Thanks be to God, Amen.  

Wrestling with the Word  

Read:  Luke 10:1 - 12  

  1. Where do you feel called to step out in faith despite uncertainty?  
  2. What does "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" (v. 2) mean for you personally? How do you see this reflected in your/our community? 
  3. Why do you think Jesus sent them in pairs rather than alone? How does community support our ability to live out our calling?  
  4. How does this passage challenge traditional ideas of success and failure in ministry or outreach?  
  5. In what ways can we bring “the kingdom of God near” (Luke 10:9) in our interactions with others?  
Next Steps  
  • How does it feel to see yourself as “one of the 72” being sent by Jesus? What does that responsibility mean in your own faith journey? 
  • Where do you experience joy in being sent—whether through the church’s ministry or in your daily life?  
  • Have you ever felt reluctant to go where God is sending you? How did you respond?

Closing Prayer

God who sends and sustains, Thank You for the lessons this day has brought. May we go forth tomorrow like the seventy-two, carrying Your peace and proclaiming Your love. Give us boldness to serve, joy in our calling, and hearts ready to receive and give grace. Remind us daily that we are never alone—You walk with us always, and we can walk with each other. Amen.