Dec. 12, 2010
DEVOTION: Don't Quit!
By Beth Bondurant
With less than two weeks before our Advent preparation is complete... the stress of fulfillment may move us to the brink of saying..."I QUIT!" Our plans don't seem to be coming together. Crowds squeeze out the joy. Threat of a winter weather storm looms in the forecast. Too many tasks... not enough time. The picture perfect twinkle of Christmas begins to lose the soft glow of compassion and purpose.
"Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail."
When we consider the problems Job faced... our Advent preparation seems trite in comparison to loss of everything we hold dear. We forget "God is with us" even in the common struggles of "daily living"... one detail at a time.
From the most crucial decision down to a tiny gift we might choose... God cares. During this season of preparation, we are reminded that it is the "least of these" ... like you and me who become front stage in the Christmas creche.
"Let me tell you what's going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him."
"Love came down at Christmas... love all lovely...love divine"...are words from a Christmas cantata and it sings to us.."Don't quit!" We are only human... but we count when it comes to God's presence ... power...and love. No matter what happens today, we continue to be God's creation and hold the promise of grace and peace for all eternity.
"I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. God's mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before God."
O God... help me to sing like Mary... to remember how much You love me. Forgive me when I quit! Renew my spirit and set me "on wings like an eagle". I so long to love others like you love me... but I seem to fail so miserably. Empower Agape in my heart so I keep on keeping on ... transforming my lack of love... letting go of my shortcomings and depending on your grace and peace to fill me up. In this season of miracles ... we pray for the power of Your compassion to hear the witness of so many faithful followers who encourage our hearts and minds with the resounding words... Don't Quit!
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DEVOTION: Don't Quit!
By Beth Bondurant
With less than two weeks before our Advent preparation is complete... the stress of fulfillment may move us to the brink of saying..."I QUIT!" Our plans don't seem to be coming together. Crowds squeeze out the joy. Threat of a winter weather storm looms in the forecast. Too many tasks... not enough time. The picture perfect twinkle of Christmas begins to lose the soft glow of compassion and purpose.
"Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail."
When we consider the problems Job faced... our Advent preparation seems trite in comparison to loss of everything we hold dear. We forget "God is with us" even in the common struggles of "daily living"... one detail at a time.
From the most crucial decision down to a tiny gift we might choose... God cares. During this season of preparation, we are reminded that it is the "least of these" ... like you and me who become front stage in the Christmas creche.
"Let me tell you what's going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him."
"Love came down at Christmas... love all lovely...love divine"...are words from a Christmas cantata and it sings to us.."Don't quit!" We are only human... but we count when it comes to God's presence ... power...and love. No matter what happens today, we continue to be God's creation and hold the promise of grace and peace for all eternity.
"I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. God's mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before God."
O God... help me to sing like Mary... to remember how much You love me. Forgive me when I quit! Renew my spirit and set me "on wings like an eagle". I so long to love others like you love me... but I seem to fail so miserably. Empower Agape in my heart so I keep on keeping on ... transforming my lack of love... letting go of my shortcomings and depending on your grace and peace to fill me up. In this season of miracles ... we pray for the power of Your compassion to hear the witness of so many faithful followers who encourage our hearts and minds with the resounding words... Don't Quit!
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