Day 21: by Juno Smalley
In our search for living a life of significance and meaning, it's easy to think, “If I can just land that next job, next house, next car, the right person to marry, the perfect baby, larger bonus, etc…” then my life will be full and wonderful and finally I’ll be ‘at peace’. Yet, I wonder:
And it's in our wondering that we drive down the path that everything and even ourselves need to be perfect, and we start feeling guilty, worthless, and flawed. Soon, we lose the reality that we are loved by Jesus no matter what we drive, where we live, what our education is, etc…
It's a morning full of wonders, yet we forget the reality that Paul writes about in Romans 8:38 & 39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I wonder if our search to be the best, the perfect, the biggest, is so intense that it forces God’s love and hope right out of our lives. I wonder?
- I wonder if we live with the hopes (and often stress) of obtaining more and more and more?
- Or I wonder if we live with the fear of losing it all?
- Or I wonder if we live with an unforgiving spirit toward ourselves for the choices and decisions we have made in the past?
And it's in our wondering that we drive down the path that everything and even ourselves need to be perfect, and we start feeling guilty, worthless, and flawed. Soon, we lose the reality that we are loved by Jesus no matter what we drive, where we live, what our education is, etc…
It's a morning full of wonders, yet we forget the reality that Paul writes about in Romans 8:38 & 39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I wonder if our search to be the best, the perfect, the biggest, is so intense that it forces God’s love and hope right out of our lives. I wonder?
Saturday's Song
Today’s song was produced by our worship team and is a reminder that God is on our side, loving us and seeing us through. During this season, remember the God of creation loves you each and every step of the way. Click here for See Me Through.
Saturday's Prayer
Lord, thank you for your love for me. Thank you that you are not expecting me to be the best, look the best, or act the best, rather help me to remember that nothing in all of creation will separate me from you. Lord help me rest in the peace that nothing I have done, or something I have not done, will be able to separate me from your love.
Lord, despite your unconditional love, I pray you will help me not to embrace a 'cheap grace' where I purposefully ignore you and the call you have placed on my life to be a follower of you.
Remind me that there is a cost to follow you. Slow my pace down so I can be sensitive to the people you place in my life and be a blessing to them. Lord, during this season, help me to remember to listen to the nudging you put in my spirit to be focused on others.
As our Food Distribution team gathers this morning to share groceries with our neighbors, may the recipients also sense your gracious love and spirit. May the food fill their stomach, the volunteers reflect your love and grace.
Thanks for New Life and the opportunity to serve you there. Give me a space in my heart for those who have yet to experience your love in their lives this Christmas!
AMEN
Remember our Candlelight Christmas Eve services either at 10 am or 1 pm tomorrow…
Lord, despite your unconditional love, I pray you will help me not to embrace a 'cheap grace' where I purposefully ignore you and the call you have placed on my life to be a follower of you.
Remind me that there is a cost to follow you. Slow my pace down so I can be sensitive to the people you place in my life and be a blessing to them. Lord, during this season, help me to remember to listen to the nudging you put in my spirit to be focused on others.
As our Food Distribution team gathers this morning to share groceries with our neighbors, may the recipients also sense your gracious love and spirit. May the food fill their stomach, the volunteers reflect your love and grace.
Thanks for New Life and the opportunity to serve you there. Give me a space in my heart for those who have yet to experience your love in their lives this Christmas!
AMEN
Remember our Candlelight Christmas Eve services either at 10 am or 1 pm tomorrow…
Posted in Advent Devotional 2022