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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Monday, June 9, 2003 RAIN, FORFEITS, AND 21ST CENTURY FOLLOWERS |
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Frontline Devotion for Monday, June 9, 2003 By Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
Text for today: Matthew 16: 24-28
I played a ton of sports as a kid. A spring like the one we’ve had in Maryland would have killed me. With rain on 25 of 30 days, countless games would have been cancelled. Practices would have been missed and I would likely have been in a terrible mood. For me, games were something I anticipated and looked forward to. To miss one was a hardship- at least in my mind. But, at least I had some understanding that rain was needed and was natural. Even if it wasn’t something I wanted at the time, it had some benefits. I knew that.
The only thing worse than rain was when the other team didn’t show up with enough players. Warm ups would be occurring and the other team would be 2 players short. I remember wishing, hoping, and praying that somebody else would show up so we could play. Usually, someone would come racing in from a last minute car pool, but there were occasions when nobody showed up. Thus, the rules are clear- we won by forfeit.
Forfeiting is no fun for anybody. One team wins, the other teams loses- and nobody has much fun. Forfeiting keeps others from playing as they intended to play. Forfeiting throws the game plan out the window. I’d rather it rain.
Jesus said “what good will if be for a person if they gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” We hear many messages about getting ahead in life. We hear many messages that speak about the need to satisfy your desires. We hear many messages about instant gratification and quick success results. Listen for them. Pay attention to them and analyze them carefully. In the lesson today, Jesus is speaking about a life lived well will not forfeit their soul simply to get ahead. A life lived well is when someone recognizes that they are first and foremost a follower. To be a follower is not something that many 21st century people yearn for. Many yearn to be leaders. They yearn to be in control. They yearn to have others listen to their orders. But, we must remember that following Jesus does not prevent us from leading in powerful, life giving ways. As you dig into scripture deeper (especially in the Book of Acts), you will see clearly that those who follow become leaders themselves. Some were visible leaders- the public speakers in the spotlight. Others were the quiet and behind the scenes leaders. The thing they had in common was their self-understanding as followers of Jesus-first and foremost.
Never forfeit your soul. Day in and day out remember that you are a follower of Jesus. In following, recognize that the Spirit will lead you. I have no doubt that as you follow, God will clothe you with power and you will help lead this world in new ways. Blessings
Prayer of the Day- Lord God, there are many things in life we can pursue that lead to bankruptcy of the soul. Let us pursue after you in active following. Let us listen to you and follow your ways in 2003 and beyond. Stay with us. Give us your Spirit and give us ways that we can help you out. Use us as instruments of love and mercy. Help us to pour out your goodness with all we meet this day. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org Devotions are Archived on our web site. www.goodshepherdonline.org