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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion LETTER March 25, 2009 |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, March 25, 2009 by Penny Risen
II Corinthians 3:3 “Clearly, you are a Letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This ‘letter’ is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.”
You want ME to be your Letter to the world, Lord? You might have the wrong person.
~~ Me, a sinner who sometimes acts out of selfish
motives:
You want me to witness to Your Son’s love and
sacrifice for all I meet.
~~ Me, who sometimes can’t be responsible to remember to feed the family
dog:
You want me to put others before myself as a
servant, just as Jesus did for Your children.
~~ Me, who too easily can turn her back on those in need, if it’s
inconvenient:
You command me to show generosity and mercy to
all my brothers and sisters who want for life’s basics.
~~ Me, who puts herself first when feelings are hurt or behaves stubbornly
when things don’t go perfectly:
You see me as Your voice of forgiveness for the
damaged, and as a shoulder to cry on for the wounded.
~~ Me, who can be indifferent or cold to the unfamiliar and to those who are
strangers:
You call me to help You reclaim those who are
lost or who need a close community of faith.
Lord, I don’t know if I’m up to this humbling and awesome task which Paul describes. To be Your Letter, which holds the promise of the Spirit of the living God, is too big a job for a small believer like me. Your trust that my faith is ready for this task is a heavy blessing indeed.
Perhaps I could start as Your Postcard, not as Your Letter. Maybe I could be a Post-it. I’m not sure if I have a grasp of all the wonderful Good News I should tell. How about my being Your Text Message as a witness of Christian ministry
But, Lord, You know my heart and You have a plan for me. You give me this duty and privilege because You love and trust me.
As you’ve called me for this job, yes, I will be Your Letter: If it is Your will, I will act boldly with all my strength as Your Letter, or as gently and peacefully as You command. If I can rely on Your amazing love and grace, I can do anything.
Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, You call me to act in the world for Your cause, and I will try my best to fulfill Your will. Help me to write Your Word and Your Grace on the hearts of others. Amen.