Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
March 27, 2022
Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
6 What we say is wisdom to people who are mature. It isn’t wisdom that comes from the present day or from today’s leaders who are being reduced to nothing. 7 We talk about God’s wisdom, which has been hidden as a secret. God determined this wisdom in advance, before time began, for our glory. 8 It is a wisdom that none of the present-day rulers have understood because if they did understand it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory! 9 But this is precisely what is written: God has prepared things for those who love him that no eye has seen, or ear has heard, or that haven’t crossed the mind of any human being. 10 God has revealed these things to us through the Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, including the depths of God.
Good Morning, God’s ways are not our ways!
I started a new class yesterday for my course of study: Bible 1: Introduction. In our time together for our first meeting, we were instructed to think of one object that represents our call to ministry. As I examined the birth of my own calling, I immediately thought about the hope that God instilled within me as I was still grieving the loss of my sweet husband, my pastor, my theologian, and my friend.
I continued my thought process as I considered an object to symbolize this hope. As is often true of my inquiry process, as my being becomes immersed in thought, a song was being interwoven with my thinking. That song was “Hymn of Promise”. I thought about my role for most of my life as a teacher and my philosophy that my gift is to teach others to think.
When we can engage as thinkers, our possibilities are limitless. Eventually, I decided upon a seed as my object. Not any specific seed for which you know what will grow from it, but a random seed. I am called to be a planter of seeds, a spiritual Johnny Appleseed. Whether I am teaching or I am preaching, I plant the seeds of knowledge within others. I am called to care for my seedlings and give them nourishment through my thoughts, words, and actions. It is God who gives life and from Jesus through the Holy Spirit, we turn knowledge into wisdom as we see glimpses of our future glory: our eternal life with God.
As each seedling sprouts and each new season begins, the unrevealed gift from God is made known to us. Our faith in God presents us with unimaginable possibilities. Which of God’s gifts are as yet unrevealed to us. For me, God called me to preach, to share the Word, and to care for others as I nurture the seeds which I have planted. I have committed my life to follow God as I answer my call. I am eager to grow as the Holy Spirit works within me. My calling is a blessing that was/is unrevealed until its season which God alone can see. Are you ready to be surprised?
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Wow! You are an awesome God. May we never doubt your plans for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When I step out in faith, God’s unfolding plans may surprise me.
Get ready! Pastor Liz
댓글