Advent 2025: Day 7
Readings:
Reflections
We are nearly done with the Isaiah deep dive into hope and vision for the new heaven and the new earth, made right by Jesus. How are you enjoying the journey so far?
It's not all sunshine and roses right now... In fact it's downright terrible sometimes. The bread of adversity may include divorce, loss, addiction, and simple failures. God gives us the truth of these things. I don't know why. Despite the bread of adversity, a great banquet is coming. A better reality is in the works. Our work is to keep hoping, despite the humble pie and bread of adversity.
Please take time to envision God whispering just behind your shoulder, "This is the way... Yep, keep going, walk in it". Oh, what a good Father we have! If you don't hear him right now, slow down, chew your bread of adversity, it could be too crunchy to hear God right now. His voice will be audible, even if it's been a long time. Jesus is the reminder that, yes, you are worth it, we the church are worth it. And God will lead us with his heart, his teachings AND his voice.
Today's readings are indeed challenging... we consider the bread of adversity and our calling to give freely because we have received so freely. Let's be honest--many of our hurts are due to our own fear of man, our own sin, and our own egocentric expectations. The passages in Matthew are reminding us that we are apprentices of Jesus; we must do what he did. We must consistently engage with others and give freely.
Who might you share this devotional series with? Who needs you to give freely of your time, food, attention, creativity?
Bonus! My Advent 2025 playlist is ready for you to listen to on Apple Music. It's diverse, and it was so much fun to put together as I read through the scriptures and wrote this series.
Feel free to share your reflection on today's devotional below. A Gmail account is required to comment.
If you are looking for a nondenominational church in the Denver area, check out denverchurchofchrist.org
Link to song on Spotify
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