Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Devotion- Graced Forever

 



1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -
 Epistle for January 31st

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” 
            So wrote Paul to early Christians
Reminding them that what is permissible
            May not always be useful

Paul’s words are still applicable to us
As we presently live in a society
Where a sense of pervading entitlement 
 drives the greedy will inside of us

As Christians, the question on our heart 
            Should not be what we think we deserve
But more what we think would be helpful
            In incarnating God’s love into the world

In the splash of baptismal water
Our focus becomes outward, not inward
Meeting the needs of another’s heart
            Before satisfying our own desires

Society’s voice keeps insisting 
            That we should be at the front of the line
Getting all that we can while we can
            Keeping all that we can for as long as we can

We quietly beg to differ
            Preferring  to follow another voice
which calls us beloved and forgiven
            undeserved, but yet cherished by God

In hearing that voice
            Our heart is deeply satisfied
Focused on giving so that others’ hearts
            May be open to God’s scandalous love

A gift of identity which 
            No one and no thing can change
Once that identity is claimed
            It marks one graced forever+

A Devotion By Rev. Donald Shaefer,
Northern Region Mission Engagement Facilitator

            

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