Dec. 6, 2010
DEVOTION: Shocked Into Faith
By Beth Bondurant
The second week of Advent may find us waking up to circumstances that shock us into faith.
Many areas of the country being "snowed in" even before December began.
The hullabaloo of Christmas vendors inundating our cyber space... every ad in the news... interrupting every station on TV... even being the first or last call of the day.
Preparation for holiday celebration hindered by sudden sickness or even regularly scheduled health care being halted or altered in the midst of this stressful time.
Incomprehensible changes and challenges in our relationship to those we love ... even in the hallowed halls of where we retreat to find God's direction and peace in "the reason for the season".
Life has a way of shocking us into faith.
"The main character in (Advent) drama will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned." (Matthew 3:11-12)
Advent marks recognition of the One "who's sandals I am not worthy to untie"... God with us through it all!!
Even in our "best laid plans"... the element of surprise will take precedence.
WHY? becomes the word that dominates our doubt and fear.
IF ONLY... stands second in line to keep us struggling for understanding and meaning.
O GOD! becomes our constant cry for peace and hope.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
O God... I can't believe what is happening to me...to people I love... to others I hardly know. Circumstances are unbelievable... and come so unexpectedly... right in the middle of this Advent season... the decorations... programs... the "glow of Christmas". Frankly, I don't know what to say or do. I only know I BELIEVE ... and want to strengthen my faith that YOU ARE WITH US ALWAYS... no matter the problem. Your Spirit will hover in and around us to give us the strength and direction... the wisdom and hope... the forgiveness and love... the patience and goodness... the gentleness and faithfulness we need to face WHATEVER today holds. My heart... though broken... is comforted and revived when... shocked into faith.
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DEVOTION: Shocked Into Faith
By Beth Bondurant
The second week of Advent may find us waking up to circumstances that shock us into faith.
Many areas of the country being "snowed in" even before December began.
The hullabaloo of Christmas vendors inundating our cyber space... every ad in the news... interrupting every station on TV... even being the first or last call of the day.
Preparation for holiday celebration hindered by sudden sickness or even regularly scheduled health care being halted or altered in the midst of this stressful time.
Incomprehensible changes and challenges in our relationship to those we love ... even in the hallowed halls of where we retreat to find God's direction and peace in "the reason for the season".
Life has a way of shocking us into faith.
"The main character in (Advent) drama will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned." (Matthew 3:11-12)
Advent marks recognition of the One "who's sandals I am not worthy to untie"... God with us through it all!!
Even in our "best laid plans"... the element of surprise will take precedence.
WHY? becomes the word that dominates our doubt and fear.
IF ONLY... stands second in line to keep us struggling for understanding and meaning.
O GOD! becomes our constant cry for peace and hope.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
O God... I can't believe what is happening to me...to people I love... to others I hardly know. Circumstances are unbelievable... and come so unexpectedly... right in the middle of this Advent season... the decorations... programs... the "glow of Christmas". Frankly, I don't know what to say or do. I only know I BELIEVE ... and want to strengthen my faith that YOU ARE WITH US ALWAYS... no matter the problem. Your Spirit will hover in and around us to give us the strength and direction... the wisdom and hope... the forgiveness and love... the patience and goodness... the gentleness and faithfulness we need to face WHATEVER today holds. My heart... though broken... is comforted and revived when... shocked into faith.
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