Today’s Reflection
A holy life is not an exhausted one, even for people in ministry with youth. The most effective youth ministers I know, the ones with blazing faith that points beyond themselves to Christ, are on fire with Jesus, not for Jesus. Their ministries stand the test of time not because they have zeal for God but because they have God; or more precisely, God has them, and they radiate divine light because of it. Christ somehow lives in their bones and in their bloodstreams; they welcome him into their lives the way children welcome Christmas and new puppies. As youth workers, they can no more avoid embodying Christ with young people than they can avoid exhaling. They are more midwives than middle managers, people who jump-start life with God and inspire us (the word comes from the Latin “to breathe in”).
—Kenda Creasy Dean, Ron Foster, & Megan Dewald, The Godbearing Life, Revised Edition (Upper Room Books, 2023)
Today’s Question
What do you think about the statement that a holy life is not an exhausted life? How often does your life tip toward exhaustion? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come.
—1 Timothy 4:8 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low by thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
—A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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2 Comments
I love the thought of not necessarily having “a zeal for God” – but simply and utterly “having God”. It must permeate, from the inside out…not something to be “put on”.
When I read that first sentence – I didn’t understand it. And, I still don’t. God asks us to run a tireless race…to find our strength in Him, our sufficiency and adequacy in Him. Physically and even mentally – we do grow weary. So good to realize, this is not our home. But – He replenishes us and we find sufficiency in Him and His provisions.
Brilliant sunshine this morning – it is a delight to see it through my classroom windows. Had to be a bit stern with my first class – urging them for more effort, to not go through the motions, but try to acquire skills we are learning now as they will be essential in Calculus. Some ears less deaf than others, I suppose.
I knew a youth pastor this description fits. Amazing! Told by a professor that ministry was beyond her, she went on and is now a senior pastor of a large church. Yes, God is in her.
Yes, this earth is only a temporary home, eternity with God awaits. Thank You, Lord.
Very thankful too that math beyond Algebra II was not needed. My brain works better with letters than numbers. I am grateful that there are those who can handle that discipline The world needs people wIth differing talents and abilities.
Snowshoes today. A fresh untrodden trail until I met cross country ski tracks and eventually a skier, the one who established all the trails I’ve enjoyed. Quite miraculous!
Prayers for Julie and her doctor visit with h. Caregiving a dementia patient is extremely challenging. God be with her as she provides what is needed. Grateful for the attention Jill’s students receive. I only had one math teacher who understood how I approached math.
A replacement computer will be on its way soon. Life without one is very different. Thankful there is a way to obtain one and keep saving for the hoped for move to the Poconos. Lenten blessings to all.
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