Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 20, 2023
Read Luke 18:15-17
15 People were bringing babies to Jesus so that he would bless them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded them. 16 Then Jesus called them to him and said, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. 17 I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.”
Good Morning, Jesus loves the little children!
As I sit and marvel at the sky this morning, I am enjoying watching the fluttering of the leaves (yes, I still have some leaves on my Sawtooth Oaks) in the breeze. The palette of the canvas changes as I continue to watch. The clouds shift and reform as they dance by my window. Suddenly, the birds have joined as they celebrate the beginning of a new day. Finally, I am seeing some glimmers of oranges and yellows as the sun prepares to make its grand entry into the landscape.
The clouds are taking on a reddish hue and the sky brightens, and the wind has almost stopped. It’s as if all of nature has stopped to admire the view. Here comes the sun! The sky is breathtaking. This symphony of life happens every day. Each day presents a different variation of the tune.
How many times do we miss this amazing show? We have responsibilities that keep us so busy that we forget to take time to look. When I consider all of the beautiful sunrises that I have photographed over the years, I realize that most pictures have been taken when I’m on vacation. Is this the only time they occur? Of course not, but it is often the only time we take time to be present at the moment of a sunrise.
Children are capable of teaching us so much. They are much more likely to notice the beautiful sunrise that I described this morning. Perhaps, it is because they don’t have so many other things tugging at them, but I think it is because they haven’t been tainted by the cynicism of the daily grind. They examine their surrounding with all their senses engaged as they look for the miracles of life that surround them.
They find joy in a pretty rock, a worm, and a tiny flower. When we can embrace God’s glory that surrounds us with the awe and wonder of a child, we will find ourselves closer to God and to the peace, love, joy, and mercy that we seek.
Jesus says, “let the little children come to me, for theirs is the kingdom of God.” Release your inner child and smile at God’s glory that surrounds you.
Loving God, Thank You for being with us. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts so that we may find You. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today, I will look for God’s glory!
Oh my! What a beautiful day! Pastor Liz
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