I can't stand RSVP's. When I want them from others, I never seem to get them and when I'm asked to give one, I feel like someone is asking for my firstborn child (though to be honest, there are days I might actually be tempted to offer him up). The point is this, invitation requires response. We live in "facebookified" where invitations often go unanswered. Even now as I type there are several in my facebook inbox... glaring at me... wanting my attention. Rather than say no with our words we simply ignore them, like many other things in our culture.
The same phenomena occurs with the dreaded "check engine" light. I remember fondly our Toyota Camry, which I brutally murdered on the way to a wedding I was officiating by simply neglecting the oil pressure light. Don't' fret, a good friend picked me up so I made it in time to bind the young couple in marital bliss.
Have you ever paused to consider that our lives, the core our our soul, receives invitations as well. Not just for social gatherings or family events, but for remembrance and rest, love and acceptance, forgiveness and grace. Sometimes our stress level gives us "check engine" lights, like the sty I'm fighting off in my right eye now. If we choose to ignore them we face burn out and illness, or worse.
God loves to invite us to himself and gives us "check engine" reminders when we don't RSVP. Consider the Daily Moravian Texts...
Psalm 107:33-43; 1 Samuel 11,12; John 1:29-42
In the end of Samuel 12, Samuel invites God's people to "consider the great things he (God) has done..." Even in their disobedience in crying out for a human king God does not abandon them. He uses Samuel to continue his invitation to relationship, a "check engine light" for their souls.
When Jesus turned to confront two students of John the Baptist following him, he asked "what do you want?" and invited them to come and see. This is the question Jesus asks us as well. So... What do you want? Today? Right now? Jesus' invitation to you is to come and see how he lives, to "consider the great things he has done for you." And, when confronted with the check engine light of our honest state, we might trust that his invitation is not one we should ignore. May you confirm and RSVP for the life God has for you.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Bonus Verses & Prayer:
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and does not keep silence. Psalm 50:2-3
And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11
Lord God, you shine forth your word and call us to express ourselves in worship to you. Cleanse us and bless us as we offer our lives in dedication to you. We love you Lord and are grateful for your unconditional love. We lift our voices to you and sing your wondrous grace. Your word amazes us, verse after verse baptizing us into your truth. With a thankful heart, we pray. Amen.
In my vocation words are all around me. Words in old languages, the words of people's stories, hopes, fears, anger, etc... Words that are written, spoken, and sung. Words said and left unsaid. My life is full of conversations and I have learned of myself that my ability to listen well serves me far better than my ability to use the "right words."
While this is true in my church life, I am finding it especially important in my family life. As Gabriel comes home from school each day he desires to tell me all the things that happened to him. He wants to tell me about his friends and the stories they read and games they payed. I tend to get caught up on his behavior, whether he "clipped up" (a good thing) that day or if he "clipped down." And while his behavior is important, it is not the most important. I found that in focusing on one aspect of his experience I was missing all the relational things my son wanted to share with me in his words. My words were about behavior and his were about the whole of his life. Consider the Moravian Daily Text...
Psalm 107:23-32; 1 Samuel 10; John 1:14-28
I the Lord will speak the word that I speak, and it will be fulfilled. Ezekiel 12:25
The centurion said to Jesus, “Only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8
The Word of God is for the whole of our lives, not just behavior. God wants to live life with us, that is why he came to live among us, to overcome our behavior with relationship. God wants to know the whole of your life as he wants you to know his. May we be people who listen. May our words come from our listening to God, one another, and our own souls. May they be words of the whole life, of healing, of grace and love.
Daily Prayer:
Speak Lord, your servants are listening. Let your voice resound, fulfilling all your purposes in the world today. Just as you spoke light into darkness and healing into pain, speak your word of truth again to an unbelieving world. Whisper your compassion and mercy, giving us ears of faith to hear.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Ever had an ordinary day begin only surprise you as the fresh start of a new life season? There is something about the hopefulness of the morning light that has inspired generations of writers, sings, poets, and artists to reflect to us hope in a new day. While every morning may have the seeds of these opportunities, it seems that only a few times in a life will these seeds break through and bloom into something beautiful. Consider the Moravian Daily Texts...
Psalm 107:17-22; 1 Samuel 9; John 1:1-13
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God. Psalm 95:2-3
Jesus said, “Give to God what is God’s.” Mark 12:17
God has this way of surprising us, while in the midst of the ordinary, with the extraordinary. He calls out ordinary men and women to become leaders of peoples, he breaks into our messy lives and brings order. Sometimes it breaks in at what would seem like the darkest point in our lives (here is a great song about that very idea on a cosmic scale).
The Gospel of John introduces Jesus in just this way. Light breaks into a dark world that can't comprehend who has come to bring life to us all. Jesus breaks into every life in the same way. Maybe it happens little by little as dawn begins to give perspective to the shadow-monsters of the night. This is the way faith broke into my life, a little at a time. Or maybe its like the shock of doors swinging open, releasing the full light of day, to flood a dark room. No matter how, it is the light that ushers in the new season. It is the light for which we are grateful.
Today is a new day and with it comes the seeds for a new season in your life. May you be mindful of the one who holds in Himself life that is the light of mankind. And may we all be expectantly grateful of the new season just around the corner because He loves us.
Daily Prayer:
You alone are good, O God. We give you all thanksgiving and praise! You alone are great, O Christ. We bow before you in humble adoration! May the joyous sound of grateful hearts never end as the strains of truth and trust resound in you, our Savior.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
My son Gabriel has reached the age where the actions and thoughts of othera matter... a lot. He just started a pre-kindergarten year at a local public school. After a few days of waking up at the creak of dawn, stumbling over to the counter and trying to pack him a lunch while making myself a cup of coffee, he says to me; "Daddy, I want to buy lunch at the school restaurant like every other kid." I wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry. Partially because of the temptation to free myself from the entire lunch making process, but mostly because I know a fundamental change is coming. From now on, Gabe will give a certain attention to the actions, words, and possessions of others in his peer group.
I wonder if god feels the same way about us at times? Consider the Daily Mornavian Texts...
Psalm 107:10-16; 1 Samuel 7:2-8:22; Luke 24:36-53
When the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Ezekiel 18:27
Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. 2 Peter 3:15
Even when Samuel warned God's people about the dangers of having a king "like every other nation" they still whined for one like ungrateful children. I am glad that God is patient with us. Despite our childish tendencies he is steady and consistent. He knows when what we want isn't good for us and, if we are open, will use the experience to teach us about ourselves and Him. May we be willing to gratefully embrace the "packed lunch" God has prepared for us rather than clamoring to be like all the other "kids."
Daily Prayer:
How patient you are with us, O God. Even while we were yet sinners, your salvation was won according to the fullness of time through our repentance and faith. Help us to be patient with one another and with the world, knowing that by your grace others will turn away from evil and come to you, good Lord. Amen.
