Devotional 12-2-11

Peter 3:9-15a

There is one word regardless of whatever our age may be that we would rather not hear spoken to us. That one word is the word Wait. We often consider it to be acceptable for us to request others to wait on us either to go somewhere or to do something to fulfill an earlier promise that we have made. But we grow impatient, when we are asked or expected to do the same.

The writer of Second Peter tells his hearers that they need to wait. They are reminded that God does not necessarily measure time in the same way that we do. Indeed we are told that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” I would imagine there had been many days that seemed to last a thousand years with all the persecution they had faced of one kind or another. Persecutions that ranged from being cast out by their families due to their acceptance of Jesus as the Christ and Lord to torture and stonings by either the religious or secular authorities for their new faith. And I can also imagine that as they looked back there were moments when it seemed like just yesterday they had experienced the difference their new faith had made in their life.

Wait, none of us like to wait. Waiting runs contrary to who we are. We are an impatient lot, and somehow I doubt that has changed all that much throughout the years. “We want, what we want, when we want it” goes a line in a movie whose title and the actors I have long since forgotten. Still the reality remains there are situations where we have to wait. Change often comes slowly. Acceptance comes slowly, and so we have to wait.

This waiting I am describing, though, is not that we are to sit idly by. Far from it! The biblical view of waiting is one in which we are actively involved. In verse 13 the writer states we: “wait for and hasten the coming of the day of the Lord.” We do that by modeling the example of Christ in our daily life through our relationships and dealings with others both within and beyond the household of faith. We wait living and treating others knowing that the fullness of Christ’s reign has already begun.

Prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Thom Malcolm, D. Min

Devotional 12-23-09

The Gift of Presence

Please read Luke 2:1-20

Those who gathered at the Stable to see and welcome Jesus, the newborn king honored him with their Presence. It is easy -- all too easy to get caught up in just giving presents rather than our Presence, by being there – being with – being for – being available – being open to the one we call the Christ.

Two images come to mind for me this day. One is the phrase we look for on the back of the cards we like to receive. It starts: “When you care enough. …. To give the very best – give a _______ card. The other image comes from the hymn Drummer Boy. Perhaps the words have already come to your mind but in case they haven’t, they are these. “What I have, I give Him. I give Him my Heart.”

We are a blessed people, and we are called to be a blessing to others. In the months since we started attending Johnson Memorial, the expressions of love and the greeting of friends previously known and those we have met since we started attending here have blessed us. You have taken us in and received us warmly in Christ’s name and on his behalf.

As we together more forward in this season of our lives may we continually strive to remember we are in His Presence and live accordingly.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, you bless us with your presence each day. Help us to open our hearts to you this day and share your boundless love with others. Amen.

Rev. Thom Malcolm