2017: A Time of Service

As I mentioned in last year’s“word of the year” blog, sometimes the word is something that just pops in my head, a moment of inspiration, with no idea how or why. This year’s word—bloom—turned out to be a little deceptive. I thought it was about expanding and growing. I had no idea that it would come to mean healing, recovering from the dark winter of loss and grief. But God knew.

This year, however, I’ve been led to it as if I’m being herded in that direction.

Servant

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a book on art and theology. One of the pieces, Esther Ausberger’s Servant, kept drawing me back. After forgetting to do my morning devotion, I opened The Upper Room to December 20^th…based on John 13:33-35. But when I looked up the verse, there’s John 1:4-5 staring me in the face: “So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”

Two of many.

This is not just about serving others. It’s about serving Him. Being open to that in ways I never have before. Challenging myself. Trying new things at His guiding.

Scary.

Taking a deep breath and diving into the New Year with hope and determination. I suspect it’s going to be a wild ride.

A Devotion for the End of 2016

God’s Love Never Fails

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!

Lamentations 3:22-23 (MSG)

The lay leader stood up in front of the church. She made a few announcements, then proclaimed, “God is good!”

The congregation responded, “All the time.”

“All the time,” she declared.

“God is good,” the people replied.

A few weeks early, the church had started doing this as a reminder that no matter how bad things got, God’s faithfulness remained steadfast. They’d been through a rough period as a church. Several stalwart members had passed away while others were chronically ill. The budget had fallen short, and their aging building leaked, sagged, and broke in the most expensive places. They prayed, uncertain how they would get through this time, but recognizing that God would be with them through it all.

Waiting for God to provide can be one of the hardest parts of having a strong faith. But the rewards are great, if we can persevere. As Matthew Henry pointed out, “It is our duty, and will be our comfort and satisfaction, to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord.”

Sometimes, at night, when the hustle of life quiets, the fears the daily grind keeps pushed into the background inch forward again, wanting to consume us. But God never intended for us to live with a spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7), and He owns the night as well as the daylight hours (Ps. 74:16). His strength and support are with us always, and His compassion fills our nights. Instead of being a time of loneliness and anxiety, nighttime should be one of reassurance. As we turn our eyes to the stars, the glory of God’s creation and His great faithfulness is spread before us. Looking up, to Him as well as to the heavens, reminds us of just how powerful He truly is.

Comfort is ours to grasp through His compassion, even in the loneliest of times. And, as the prophet discovered, His love and mercy begin fresh and new every morning, never leaving us.

Prayer

Father in heaven, help me remember to look up, to see the glory in your skies and the hope that lies in your unending mercy and love. Amen.