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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 25, 2005 HOME |
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Frontline Devotion for January 25, 2005 By Penny Risen
Matthew
8: 18-20
Before the chilly wind drives them into a memory, the footprints remain. I like
to catch a glimpse of them when the snow dusts the lawn beneath my deck. It’s
easy to tell them apart --- the light, cautious paths made by the foxes or the
squirrels are very different than the heavy, deliberate paw prints left by my
pudgy beagle. Looking through the steam as I sip a morning mug of coffee, I can
spot the tracks leading into the woods where my small neighbors make their home.
“And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a
command to depart to the other side. Then a certain scribe came
and said to Him, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.’
And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air
have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ "
Admittedly, I’m a soft touch for the animals that live in the woods behind my house. The habit of pitching out the apple or potato peelings, stale nuts from the pantry, or other biodegradable treats for critters comes from my mom and dad --- a wooded, retirement A-frame was a welcome relief after their many years spent in cities and suburbs. It’s a good feeling to be sharing my spot, my place in the world with foxes, birds and tiny creatures, many who are too shy to venture near the deck but very likely enjoy the things left at their doorstep.
Jesus recognized that not everyone feels welcome and at home in the world. Many times in His ministry He was the outcast, the wandering preacher who didn’t have a place to call home or to rest. Jesus’ message often was not understood and accepted by those who He sought to bring into His Father’s love and grace. He cautioned His followers about this sometimes rough, homeless pursuit on God’s mission: Explaining in this short and gentle parable that even the Son of Man has no place to call home, to find peace at the day’s end.
What kind of place are we making for Christ in our lives? Have we made a home in our hearts for Him, a spot that is clean and warm and inviting? When He listens for a welcome word from us at the finish of our busy day, we need to pray and call out, “Yes! Come into my home, please Lord.”
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, I know that Your love can make even the darkest place a home filled with light. Thank you for the small creatures who remind me of how fragile each of us can be. Help me to make a home for You in my heart. Amen.
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