FIRST FRIDAY IN ADVENT
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2010
Matthew 24:44 . 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
44Therefore you also must be ready If you have been following these devotions you know the theme of Advent is prepare, watch and wait. The devotion for The First Sunday In Advent called us to take some quiet alone time to walk with the Lord, time to pray and meditate. Reading these devotions can be such a time. That is one way of preparing, watching and waiting. The devotion for The First Wednesday in Advent suggested that the original military/political use of the term parousia (adventus in Latin from which our term, Advent, comes) entailed among other things an offering and you were challenged to find a way to offer yourself. Kate and Ken suggested that they could offer childcare to some beleaguered grandparents. I committed to writing notes to homebound and reading to one of the saints who is dying in the hospital. That is another way of preparing, watching and waiting.
Patti ‘s comment on Sunday’s devotion suggested another way of watching and waiting. “Do all things to the glory of God” she said. Whatever you have to do today, do the very best you can and God will be glorified. God is as pleased with the Hispanic maid who does her very best to clean your hotel room as God is pleased with the brain surgeon doing surgery and the Bishop who consecrated Holy Communion. “Do all things to the glory of God.” That’s another way of preparing, watching and waiting. Whatever the task, grand and glorious or dull and mundane, do the best you can and offer your effort to the God who gave you the task.
Stir up your power, O Lord and come. Help us to do whatever we have to do today, grand and glorious or dull and mundane, the best we can and to your glory. AMEN
I must comment on my own devotion. I woke up this morning with several distasteful tasks one of which was bathing our dog who had been sick and vomitted all over. Reading that devotion and praying the prayer changed my whole attitude and outlook on the day. Good job, Evan! And thank you, Lord.
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm motivated now! I will work on the laundry and begin the Christmas decorating, all the while remembering to thank God that there are clothes to wash and baubles to display! Hope your dog feels better soon Pastor =]
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I thought of here was my running preparation. Not all of runs are fast or long or of any quality. But that doesn't mean that they are useful. You need to have some easy runs and days off to become stronger. Your muscles become stronger as they rebuild, not as they are broken down during a tough workout.
ReplyDeleteI will think about this daily devotion on my easy runs this weeks.