It has been almost two years since I’ve publicly shared any devotions but the hiatus may now be over. Last Sunday, Senior Pastor Scott at my church issued a challenge: Every day, from now until Lent begins, he invited us to read a section of Psalm 119, meditate on it, and act on God’s promptings. The full details of the challenge are here. I have accepted it.
Lectio Divina: Today’s section is Psalm 119: 33-40 (ESV) and verse 37 is my prayer: Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Meditation: The two phrases that caught my attention in this section are: “worthless things” and “life.” If I let myself I can give in easily to anger and despair, often. Anger and despair about the state of our world. I grew up in India and recall vividly the stark and cruel pictures of extreme poverty that I often saw, such as a man and a stray dog scrounging for food from the same pile of garbage. I no longer live in India and while I love the church to which God has brought me, I can feel like a bit of a misfit here. It seems to me that we sometimes interpret the Bible and Jesus differently. One important difference is about the poor. All Christians must help the poor and the needy not just by giving money but by giving ourselves, I believe; that it is in self-death we live (i.e in the giving up of selfish desires we find true life). This was Christ’s example. Others though are cautious about this as legalism and works righteousness. Still, my own desire is not to rock the boat. Thus, I rarely engage with my church family on a deep level. I never ask: How much material wealth is enough? Is the American dream biblical? Today, I wondered, How guilty, Lord, am I of worthless things and not seeking life in your ways? I guess I wanted to wallow in my own guilt! Instead the Holy Spirit brought to my memory all the times I have taken Paul’s advice to think on that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent (Philippians 4: 8) as well as a haiku of mine among other things!
Seagulls, mollusks rest
The littoral zone reminds
God-with-us is LIFE!
Picture: The photograph shows a tea-light candle-holder given me in 2009 by Helen on behalf of the Monday Night Bible Study ladies for my teaching of The Gospel According to John. I had started to attend the Bible study a few years earlier because I wanted to make up for the years I’d lost not reading God’s Word. Towards the end of my first year I asked, “What is Love?” Christine’s answer, “You are love,” blew me away. As I prayed about her vision (I know and my family will confirm I am not definitely not love) God led us gently. Monday Night Bible Study became my own little lab of love, as I somewhat jokingly referenced the Holy Spirit led experiments in which we learned together to love like Jesus. Our life-text Psalm 119: 105 is inscribed on the candle-holder: Your Word is a lamp unto my feet.
This entry is dedicated to my sister in Christ Laura. Laura, your heart for the poor, whether they are in So Cal, Mexico, India or South Africa, encourages and inspires me. When I try to see God’s heart, Laura, I see you. You are true, lovely, totally commendable. Happy Birthday, my friend.
