Prayer Practice
Breath Prayer – Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. Consider using the list of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture.
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Unexpected
by Kelsey Bacon
Has God ever worked in an unexpected way in your life? I'm sure for most of us the answer is yes. Many of us can probably think of an example right off the top of our heads. And for me personally, I know that the way God worked in my life unexpectedly had me looking uncomfortably similar to the crowd driving Jesus out of town at the end of today's story.
The path that the Lord took me on that led me to my job here at UALC was a strange one. For six and a half years I was so sure that my destiny, God's ordained plan for my life, was to be a teacher in Chicago. I was so positive that this was what he had planned for me that I never stopped to think what other options might be, and never stopped to ask God if I was on the right track. I was too sure. So I was understandably shaken when, right before I was supposed to start my student teaching in Chicago senior year of college, I felt a sudden call to possibly come back to UALC and seek out a job in full time ministry. I was not expecting this from God, and boy was I angry at him. I had my whole life planned out, I had had everything lined up for years, I thought I knew what the right answers were--much like the people Jesus to whom Jesus preached in Nazareth that day. They thought they had the right answers, they thought they knew the correct way, they thought they had God all figured out.
As I reflect on this story, I think about how unfazed Jesus was by all of this. Not only that he couldn't be physically harmed by this murderous crowd, but he was untouched by their anger and disbelief. He didn't get angry and shout at them, or try to explain himself away, he just spoke the truth and put it into action. I look at this story and I see why it is that we are meant to lean on Jesus, why it is that God is who we're following instead of ourselves. The people in the crowd were self-righteous, pious, proud, and even dangerous. But Jesus told the truth, and his truth withstood their anger.
Jesus did not speak or act as he was expected to. Jesus still speaks, acts, moves in our lives in ways we don't expect. And he asks us merely to hear his truth, and to respond.
Reflect Further: How can you respond to Jesus today? Pray and ask God to show you where he is working in your life.
3 comments:
Thanks Kelsey! This was good for me to hear today!
Good afternoon, Kelsey. Thank for personalizing this message in your real life circumstances. I can't tell you how many times I have figured out the appropriate course of action without consulting God or looking at the circumstances surrounding my decision. I have hit a lot of brick walls but was redirected by His grace.
Jesus' reading of the Isaiah scroll about setting the captives free, good news to the poor, set the oppressed free all remind me of His grace and mercy to a whole class of underdogs. When we take a bus load of professional, Christian business men into Marion Correctional Institution they come away in silence and in utter amazement. They thought they had life together, could handle problems through their own ingenuity and strength..you know...problem solvers who are in control. They met society's outcasts but they really met men saved and transformed by grace. They met real disciples of Jesus who can offer little from the world's vantage point but everything with regards to spiritual maturity. All they really have is Jesus and it is reflected in how many of them live and treat one another. The professional, Christian business community from the free world has met the body of Christ on the inside and come away energized and more enthusiastic about sharing the Gospel. As Jesus said, "today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing". The business community has seen first hand how that prophecy has been fulfilled for the poor, incarcerated, captives inside the walls. Joyous to see and be a part of His love.
Have a blessed day and thank you for your message. You and the other members of this daily worship team are to be thanked for giving our congregation a wonderful Easter season blessing. Thanks to Judy Webb for leading this effort.
Robin Lorms
Robin, thank you so much for sharing this story about the prison ministry! I have always loved hearing about how God uses that ministry, and it definitely connects to this passage. Indeed it is good to be part of his Kingdom!
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