Wednesday's devotion form Epiphany
Luke 12. 29And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. (NRSV)
This is not “Don’t worry, be happy”/Bobbie McPherrin nor is it Joel Osteen/God’s gonna make you rich sort of stuff. Jesus is reminding us that sometimes we spend too much time with that which is beyond our grasp. It is beyond our grasp not to tease us, not to keep us striving, but because God doesn’t think it is something we need.
The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, can be found within all of us. It’s been there all of the time even if we are oblivious to it. When we recognize it, when we become attuned to it, we begin to realize what is important and that, for most of us, what we have is really enough. If we spend as much time tending to the kingdom as we do with ornaments, we come to realize that what Jesus is trying to teach us is true.
Sometimes, however, there are those around us who don’t have enough ornaments, who are unable, on their own, to obtain that which God desires of them. We have to set aside our own stuff and spend time helping them. It’s a kingdom thing.
Help us to be satisfied with what we have and rather than seek other riches take care of the things we have, the things you have given us. But help us also to look for the stuff that others need and deserve. Amen
This is not “Don’t worry, be happy”/Bobbie McPherrin nor is it Joel Osteen/God’s gonna make you rich sort of stuff. Jesus is reminding us that sometimes we spend too much time with that which is beyond our grasp. It is beyond our grasp not to tease us, not to keep us striving, but because God doesn’t think it is something we need.
The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, can be found within all of us. It’s been there all of the time even if we are oblivious to it. When we recognize it, when we become attuned to it, we begin to realize what is important and that, for most of us, what we have is really enough. If we spend as much time tending to the kingdom as we do with ornaments, we come to realize that what Jesus is trying to teach us is true.
Sometimes, however, there are those around us who don’t have enough ornaments, who are unable, on their own, to obtain that which God desires of them. We have to set aside our own stuff and spend time helping them. It’s a kingdom thing.
Help us to be satisfied with what we have and rather than seek other riches take care of the things we have, the things you have given us. But help us also to look for the stuff that others need and deserve. Amen
posted by John | 7:30 AM
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