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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 3, 2007 Arise |
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Frontline Devotion for January 3, 2007 Penny Risen
Isaiah 60: 1-6 “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the Earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance. Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy.” --- New Living Translation Bible
In this passage, the prophet Isaiah talks about the people of God coming together after a long exile, beginning anew as a restored family. His advice to “arise, shine” are sage words for us in the New Year 2007. If we wake up and greet each day with new enthusiasm and hope, it will be a marvelous year! The text also reminds us that we can do nothing without God in our lives.
I’m not one for making resolutions to begin a new year. I’m more of a “one day at a time” person and hope to make a difference little bit by bit. Sure, many of us tell ourselves that finally this year we will: Lose weigh; exercise more; save money; eat healthy; buy a hybrid car to save the Earth; read more nonfiction and watch less TV … fill in your own blank for worthy ’07 goals.
It’s important not to beat ourselves up about it, if we can’t be perfect and fulfill each item on this self-imposed list. We still fill a special role in this world as God’s child and are to follow His guidance for us. Arise, shine! God loves us for (and in spite of) what we are. God also gives us the strength to become the better person we wish to be. With His help and love, we can rise to any occasion or challenge. But in hard times, we can lean on and trust in His wisdom.
God is our source of light, Isaiah reminds us. We must arise and shine, but we also have the duty and the joyful task to be a light to others. This coming year we will often find ourselves with too full a schedule and be too self-absorbed to think of others and their needs. Just as we need God, others need us to be God’s light for them. To share ourselves, our time and our possessions is our job --- for these all first came from God.
As a footnote to Isaiah, I pass along this quote I came across as a busy 2006 closed out. It surely will speak to me in stressful and over-committed days in 2007, perhaps even when I don’t think I have the spiritual energy to arise and shine:
“When time is short, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.”
- Henri-Frederic Amiel, 19th century Swiss philosopher
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, give me hands to serve, a heart to love, and a head to know when to slow down and appreciate Your world. Grant me Your grace when I fail or go astray, and Your strength to arise and to succeed when I find my path. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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