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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 22, 2007 Pushed |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday, February 22, 2007 by Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
“Will you stop pushing me?” “Stop pushing me!”
These are the sounds that I have heard on numerous occasions as a parent. The sounds of my children being children. As parents, we try to remind our kids that nobody wants to be pushed. We say things like, “it’s not nice to push” and remind them that you are “invading somebody’s space if you are pushing them.” Ring a bell.
I like the story today because it speaks about how the spirit doesn’t just gently nudge Jesus. It says the Spirit “pushed Jesus” out into the wild. It may seem like a strange phrase but take note that while “out in the wild”, Jesus was taken care of. He was not abandoned by God at all.
In the Greek text, the phrase “pushed” into the wild is told in the present tense as if it is happening today. Sometimes we are not just asked; we are pushed into confusing and chaotic and messy situations. The key is to remember that God may have his hand in sending us into those situations to be a witness of care or calm or compassion. In the midst of chaos and difficulty, today’s story reminds us that God will minister to us as he did Jesus.
The more we realize that the Spirit pushes us into situations where our witness is needed (and the more we realize God is with us every step of the way) - the more we may start to pray - “Spirit, start pushing me!”
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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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