Tag Archives: Serving God

Protected and Sent

Eastertide

May 3, 2020

Scripture Reading:
John 10:1-10

So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. –John 10:7-10

One of the first jobs I had on the farm was making sure all the chickens were in the chicken house before dark when we locked the door, protecting them from predators like coyotes. During the day they roamed all over the farm. While I thought of this as my job, my mother accompanied me. She actually lacked the door until I was tall enough to do it. I must confess I grin every time I see a sign that advertises free-range chickens in grocery stores, often selling for a higher price than then others.

I thought of this task as I read the phrase Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. Having and maintaining a relationship with Jesus prepares us to go out into the world being in the world but not of it.

Another task I had was unlocking the door the next morning and filling the food and water vessels so the chickens could be nurtured before they went outside. I also gathered their eggs.

God did not call us to stay in God’s house but to gain rest for our bodies and nourishment for our souls there. Worship and other spiritual disciplines prepare us for service. We then can go out and productively work for the establishment of the Kingdom of God in our world today.

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
   who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress;
   my God, in whom I trust.’
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
   and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
   and under his wings you will find refuge;
   his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:1-4)

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your loving care and for being with us each step of our way as we journey forth to love others as you love us. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

No Excuses

Jeremiah's CallLiving in the Spirit
August 15, 2016

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you. –Jeremiah 1:4-7

“I am retired. The younger generation needs to take over.” “I must make a living. I’ll do that when I am retired.” “We raise children. We don’t have time for anything else.” Jeremiah said, “I am only a boy” when called to serve in the Kingdom of God and God did not accept his excuse. My mother set the example of answering God’s call in every aspect of her life. As children, she incorporated us in her service, and it became our service. Even as a 95+-year-old in a nursing home, she had an active prayer ministry. The success of the kingdom of God depends on each and every one of us doing our part. No one retires from this calling.

Jeremiah faced serious discord and challenges in his response to God’s call. Written off because of his age, he had to work harder than some just to get people’s attention. When caught in such circumstances, one must have confidence in the call as well as the message and that demands a deep and abiding relationship with God. It also requires that we learn from mistakes we make and rectify any to the best of our ability. We may have to seek other ways of being active in our ministry, gain new skills, or refocus on new endeavors. Quitting is not an option.

Prayer: Lord, walk with me throughout my ministry. When I falter, lead me forward. When I need encouragement, send a messenger with a word of hope. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.