Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Today's Frontline Devotion
Tuesday, September 2, 2003
MAKING A PATH
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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Today's Frontline Devotion
Tuesday, September 2, 2003 MAKING A PATH |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, September 2, 2003 by Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
I saw a lot of my neighbors yesterday at a Labor Day picnic. I have seen some of them in passing throughout the summer. A few are people I haven’t seen since the last major snowstorm.
As I think back to last winter, we were hit with so much snow in my area that it was hard to keep on top of all the shoveling. In fact, we had so much snow that the county came in and all they could offer for a while was a small path out of the neighborhood. Later, when they had more time, they promised to come back and clear a wider path.
Even though it wasn’t the greatest path of all time, it still was just enough of a path that I could leave home. I could get to work. I could visit people. I could run errands. I could do things that I wouldn’t be able to do had a path not emerged through the deep snow.
Snow is only temporary and we only need snow shovels and plows during a small part of the year. But, we still need to be making paths every day. The lesson today reminds me that our call is to make a path for Jesus to operate in our lives each and every day. I have no doubt that Jesus works in spite of us- but I believe the path is cleared when we are actively involved in the process.
The fig tree not producing fruit is a reminder to me that one of the ways we clear a path for Jesus is when we use our God given gifts. When we use what God has given us- whether it’s a skill, a talent, or a natural ability then we show God how much we appreciate his provisions. When we pause to pray, we clear a path for Jesus to come into a conversation. When we pause for devotions, we help clear a path for Jesus and his priorities to take prime importance in our lives while allowing other things to take second fiddle.
May we all throw down palm branches in our daily life- welcoming Jesus and showing him that we want him to have a clear path into our hearts. May God touch our lives this day and in all the days to come.
Lord Jesus, we want you to have a clear path into our hearts and into our everyday lives. Teach us to be people who clear paths for you. Help us to remove the obstacles that keep us from fully following you and fully utilizing the gifts you have given us. Help us to welcome you with joy and to follow you with enthusiasm.
To respond to this devotion, write mailto:pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org
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