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MEDITATION:

Written by Os Hillman, a contemporary speaker, author, and consultant on faith at work.

The apostle Paul had a tent-making business. However, over time, it was evident that more and more of his time was being given to vocational ministry activities. That required him to receive income from those to whom he invested his life. It became increasingly difficult to run a business and travel and minister. His letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:14-19) gives us a perspective on giving. Although Paul appreciated the support financially, his real joy came in the fact that their gift was being credited to their Heavenly account. Paul had a confidence that God would always provide what he needed. Sometimes it came from his business. Sometimes it came through others. He was not overly concerned with where his provision would come from. His confidence was in God, his provider. So, his attitude was in affirming the benefit that came to the giver from a Kingdom perspective. Paul learned that it wasn’t a church or a business that was his provider. It was God. These were merely tools God used to support him.

PRAYER:

Written by John Birch, a contemporary author on Celtic and other prayer.

Bless the givers,

eyes open

for those in need

of prayer,

encouragement,

support,

a little time,

the gift of love.

In the act of giving

and receiving

may both be blessed. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Amanda Idleman, a contemporary author.

Adventure is in all of us. Some can tap into it more than others. Some have buried it deep down inside. Some miss it. Some try to only live it. Adventure, fun, wanderlust, whatever you want to call it, is innate in us humans. If it wasn’t, then we wouldn’t see it calling out to us everywhere. Movies, shows, video games, and books all take us on rides and keep us coming back for more. Think of the most popular releases in those categories. They all deliver wonderfully on the cathartic and vicarious experience that we all actually crave.  Stories are filled with whimsical romance that take us on the emotionally appealing rollercoaster of love, and they leave us wishing we could be the one in the story. Action and fantasy movies alike fill our eyes and minds with such realistic graphics depicting character-defining missions of courage in outer space or on the ocean blue. Video games, where we actually make the decisions and control characters, are immensely alluring and leave us feeling especially connected to the character we’ve built.  Social media paints a picture of joy and adventure, just out of our own reach. In one post, we see another exiting a wooden bungalow set amongst perfectly blue water to swim with their own dolphin; in the next, they are driving a stylish Jeep Wrangler Rubicon through a rainforest to spend a night in a private tree house where toucans bring them fresh melon.  Then, the movie ends, and the lights come on. You finish the book. The game is over. You’re too jealous of the Instagram post, so you put down your phone. Reality comes back like a rushing wind to remind you that you are not the main character in the story. You’re not even in the story. You’re not living anything close to the story.  Postmodernism tries to stall this reality check. We are in an era of giving into our desires and truly wandering off The Path. Postmodernism says, do what you want, do you, give in to the hedonistic lifestyle, and live free. The world has been inundated with self-help books that focus on you. You are the answer. You can do it. You come first. This is one reason we have failing marriages; spouses want that thrill, that adventure, and instead of working to rekindle that feeling, they take the easy way out and into another’s arms.  The problem is all of this: movies, books, games, and social media. They all skew our expectations. Media has numerous time jumps that leave out the material that we would connect with. Superhero movies are entertaining, but when they skip from the war room final plan discussion to the final battle, they leave out the 24-hour plane ride it takes to get there, in which they forgot to pack enough food, get a little cranky, Captain America eats all the protein bars and gets a little gassy.  The Instagram post of someone riding free in the new Wrangler doesn’t include anything about the massive debt they got in just to obtain the thing and the many, many mosquito bites they suffered staying in the rainforest treetop chalet. It’s not that life is terribly mundane and boring. On the contrary, life is full of amazing daily experiences, but our reference has been skewed and needs a bit of calibration. Remember, we are made in God’s image, and if we have this innate sense of adventure, it’s not an accident. It represents a trait of our God. He likes adventure, fun, miracles, and cool stories…While we are the focus of God’s love, we must remember that this Earth was not created so we can all be the center of attention. This masterfully written story is about Him reconciling with His lost children. Those of us that accept His son’s sacrifice aren’t thrust onto center stage. We now get to join our dad on His great mission. When we live lives with a Heaven-centered view, all we do is unto the Lord. Suddenly, nurturing our families, cooking dinner, and serving in our job come with a Kingdom purpose! The adventure of living as strangers in this world, serving God, and pointing all that we love back to him is unending and a part of everything we do.

PRAYER:

Written by Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) was an English priest and later elected as the Bishop of Chichester, but Henry III would not recognize him.

Awaken, O Lord Jesus, our hearts and minds to your presence in the world of your love’s creating. Forbid that we should stumble through this day oblivious to the wonder in the ordinary. With your grace, startle us into faith’s perception of your continuing creation in our lives. Amen.

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