Lent 2016 - Week 6: HOLY PURPOSE

Based on the Lenten Devotion 'BE HOLY' by Brian Coulter and published by Presbyterian Today. 

Week 6: HOLY PURPOSE

3.14.16 Monday  2 Timothy 1:9 MSG

We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it.

            Called to a holy work.  Another job on my ‘to-do’ list.  Laundry.  Buy groceries.  Choir practice.  Dust.  Find new deacons.  Serve at the senior center.  Holy work.  Common chores.  Do we just add our God-work to our list of regular chores, another to do on the list?  Sadly, often we do.  But God has a bigger purpose than any list of jobs.   We sanctify that work, we make it holy, when we put it above the everyday chores of life.  If my house goes unclean because I am doing God’s work, that’s ok.  If I put relationships above order, my priorities are holy.  This kind of work gives our life purpose.

            This somewhat reminds me of something we hear often in the CAV circles.  (The CAV logo is Travel with a Purpose.)  Many RVers love the resort life, the social time with fellow seniors, relationships built, etc.  But there is no PURPOSE.  CAVs and like-minded have found that holy work, work of service, fulfills that need for purpose, in addition to the camaraderie of fellowship and fun.  Holy work.  It starts once again today.

Calling Savior, …. Grace me with purpose.  Amen. 

3.15.16  Tuesday  1 Peter 2:9 GNT

 But you are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.

    

        Chosen to proclaim.  To BOLDLY proclaim.  Not something I do well.  I would rather surreptitiously  allude  to God, draw prayers, post pictures, write my blogs.  But to come right out and announce with courage and acclaim God in my life….that is much harder.  See what I do, see how I treat others, but don’t make me PROCLAIM!   That sounds too much like ‘street-corner’ preaching.  Not up my alley. 

            Yet, sometimes that kind of boldness is exactly what is needed.  Sometimes people need to hear our faith spelled out in very clear and simple terms.  Sometimes we need to share openly and often those God-moments we encounter day in and day out. 

Lord, send me…. To boldly proclaim.  Amen.

3.16.16  Wednesday  Hebrews 3:1  Voice

So all of you who are holy partners in a heavenly calling,….

            Holy partners – you and me, working together for a common holy purpose.  Key word here is working together – hand in hand.   So often we try to do it all alone, but in reality, God wants us to be in community.  God has gifted us with various talents so that when we work together we will have all the skills we need for holy work.

            Habitat is a good example of this.  Most of us do not have the complete skills to build a house.  But when we combine our skills we are able to achieve great things!  

Teacher, teach me…. Collaboration.  Amen.

3.17.16  Thursday  Hebrews 12:14  GNT

Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it.

            Be at peace.  Easy!  With everyone.  EVERYONE?  LIKE IN EVERY BODY?  No exceptions?  MUCH, MUCH harder.

            Not everyone is easy to get along with.  We disagree.  We have different values, different faiths, different ideas, definitely different political leanings.  But to live a holy life, a life in Christ, we must make peace with all.  It is not an easy task.  Christ never said it would be.  But Jesus did say it would be worth it. 

            We don’t get to make this Lenten journey toward holiness alone.  We make it in community.  And that means being at peace as a community.  Without our ‘Habi-town’ it means supporting one another, listening to the opinions of others, and working together to get the job done.  It means finding the common good and strengthening that bond.  

Prince of Peace, …. Aid my pursuit.  Amen.  

3.18.16  Friday  Ephesians 4:11-13

It was he who “gave gifts to people”; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers.  He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.

            I like the idea of our Santa God handing out gifts.  Everyone gets something different because it takes all that variety working together to make the Kingdom of Heaven happen.  In our Habitat world, those gifts may be skills in measurement or masonry, siding or roofing.  Some are good at painting, others have the skills to walk on rafters and work from high scaffolding.  It takes ALL of US, each with our different gifts, to build the house. 

Gifting God….equip me still.  Amen.  

3.19.16  Saturday  Revelation 14:12 MSG

Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God’s commands, staying faithful to Jesus. 

  

          Other translations use the term endurance, the patient endurance of the collective holy saints of God – that includes you and me.  Endurance is something we gain through trials.  You don’t gain endurance without a little stress.  But I particularly like the term “passionately patient”.  Patience to wait for God to act…in God’s own time frame.  But passionate enough to act on behalf of God in any and all circumstances that we can.  We are on a holy journey, a journey that demands such passionate patience, a trek that requires holy endurance.  When things get tough, when the going is rough or life is demanding, do I have the patience necessary to continue in step with God?

Enduring God…. Keep me moving.  Amen.