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MEDITATION:

Written by Annie Yorty, a contemporary author and speaker.

In the Old Testament, there’s a story of a prophet named Elisha, whose defenseless city was surrounded by “a substantial army.” The angry king of that army planned to kidnap Elisha to prevent him from helping God’s people. Elisha’s servant quaked at the sight of the enormous force encircling them. He cried, “This is hopeless, my master” (2 Kings 6:15)! Elisha, though, remained remarkably calm. You see, he saw something with the eyes of his heart that his attendant could not perceive. I wonder if the sight that greeted Elisha’s servant when God opened his eyes left him speechless. Numerous horses and flaming chariots surrounded them. Elisha did not fear the puny force of the earthly king because he could see the powerful King of heaven defending him. When Jesus lived on earth, he healed physical blindness. “Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly (Mark 8:25). Not content with just physical restoration, Jesus also came “to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). In other words, Jesus opens the eyes of the heart to spiritual sight.

Elisha’s servant discovered that the world looked significantly different when he saw through the eyes of his heart. When the heavenly realm comes into focus, problems shrink. Provision appears. With spiritual sight, we see the anguish in the heart that spewed angry words. We sympathize with the addict’s chains. We recognize doubt underlying haughtiness and fear of failure behind insolence.  We also realize that Almighty God protects us with His army. Jehovah Jireh provides exactly what we need. Emmanuel stays with us through every circumstance. We radiate hope anchored to the ultimate victory of Jesus. God gives us the ability to see people and problems in the world from His point of view, which includes the thoughts and motives that prompt outward actions. He pulls back the curtain on the heavenly realm to show the big picture. Have you ever covered your eyes to avoid a scary part of a movie? In the same way, we sometimes deliberately close our eyes to the inconvenient or painful realities that God reveals. Is there any spiritual reality you resist? Perhaps God is nudging you to see and respond to a difficult relationship with His compassion instead of censure. Or maybe the eyes of your heart perceive His guidance for a problem, but you’d rather tackle it your way.  Another prophet of God named Isaiah received a strong vision of the heavenly realm. He saw a royal chamber in the temple with the glorious King seated front and center on His throne. Magnificent, adoring seraphim surrounded God. When Isaiah despaired at his unworthiness to stand in God’s presence, a seraph cleansed him, and God spoke. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me’” (Isaiah 6:8)! Isaiah’s unequivocal reply flew out of his mouth. In gratitude for spiritual sight, he surrendered his life to God. Perhaps we all need to spiritually be unable to close the eyes of our heart. Unable to turn away from the spiritual realities God reveals. Eager to respond to what we see.

PRAYER:

Written by Wendy Van Eyck, a contemporary writer and blogger.

God, sometimes life gets me down and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for loving me enough to come to earth and die so we can live together forever. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by George Palmer Pardington (1939-2017), an Episcopal priest and teacher.

What shall the believer do in times of darkness — the darkness of perplexity and confusion, not of heart but of mind? Times of darkness come to the faithful and believing disciple who is walking obediently in the will of God; seasons when he does not know what to do, nor which way to turn. The sky is overcast with clouds. The clear light of Heaven does not shine upon his pathway. One feels as if he were groping his way in darkness. Beloved, is this you? What shall the believer do in times of darkness? Listen! “Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God.” The first thing to do is do nothing. This is hard for poor human nature to do. In the West, there is a saying that runs thus, “When you’re rattled, don’t rush”; in other words, “When you don’t know what to do, don’t do it.” When you run into a spiritual fog bank, don’t tear ahead, slow down the machinery of your life. If necessary, anchor your bark or let it swing at its moorings. We are to simply trust God. While we trust, God can work. Worry prevents Him from doing anything for us. If our minds are distracted and our hearts distressed; if the darkness that overshadows us strikes terror to us; if we run hither and yon in a vain effort to find some way of escape out of a dark place of trial, where Divine providence has put us, the Lord can do nothing for us. The peace of God must quiet our minds and rest our hearts. We must put our hand in the hand of God like a little child and let Him lead us out into the bright sunshine of His love. He knows the way out of the woods. Let us climb up into His arms and trust Him to take us out by the shortest and surest road.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from a traditional collect for Evening Prayer.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Trevor Hudson, a contemporary South African pastor, author, and speaker. This is an excerpt from his book “Seeking God.”

We yearn for intimacy, belonging, significance, transformation, power, and eternity. This longing is written in capital letters onto the emptiness of our souls, the pain of our lives, the struggles of our relationships, and the strife of our shattered communities. The good news is that amid our searching lives, our broken relationships, our battles with addiction, our desperate reaching out for something more, our fractured and hurting world, Jesus Christ reaches out to us with the compelling vision of another kind of life. He comes to us in his risen presence and says to each one of us: It doesn’t have to be this way. Another kind of life is available to you. You are invited into an intimate pilgrimage to the heart of my Abba Father, who loves you beyond your wildest imaginings. As you keep company with me, my sisters and brothers will become your new family. Over time I will reveal to you God’s personal calling for your life. I will show you how you can partner with me in healing my Father’s world. Along the way I will slowly transform you into the loving, compassionate, and generous person you were meant to be. My powerful Spirit will set you free from whatever enslaves you and will empower you to act on behalf of the common good. Above all, there is nothing that will ever separate you from the Father’s love with which I love you. This is the divine vision I have for your one life on earth.

When we reimagine this life offered to us by God, when our hearts are moved by the vision of living in the eternal Kingdom now, we begin to seek it. This life is not for passive observers, nor for uninvolved spectators. It is for those serious enough to ache for it, reach out for it, and turn in to it…and who are willing to give up whatever is necessary to obtain it. If we want to enter this life that God gives, you and I must become seekers.

PRAYER:

Written by Trevor Hudson, the author of today’s meditation.

Lord Jesus Christ, your good news has found its way into my heart. Thank you for the divine life that your own life, death, and resurrection make possible for me today. I have caught a glimpse of what this life looks like in your own life, and I yearn to know it for  myself. Today I turn toward you, trusting that this is your vision for my life here on earth. As I learn what it means to seek you and the life you give, may your Spirit show me my next step.

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MEDITATION:

Today’s devotional was from Theodyssey’s Heart’s Desire devotional. Theodyssey is a Christian spiritual formation group for building Christian leaders.

Coming alive spiritually requires us to face the shock of realizing that we are sinners, wholly inadequate to be restored to a relationship with God on our own merits. It requires a genuinely childlike spirit of trust and humility to repent and be renewed.  We’re often too busy to notice or respond to our most profound needs. The emotional poverty of our modern world has left us numb.  We readily forget what it means to exist. We easily dismiss the reality of our inner lives. We’re hurried and stressed, problem-solving our way through each day, armed with our scientific tools and strategies. Any reference to matters of the heart is irrelevant in a culture of production and self-reliance unless it is immediately useful.  And yet, we are born with a persistent longing for “something more.” Amid the noise of our lives, our heart’s desire is a constant internal beacon pointing us toward Home. Sometimes a palpable sense of awe bullies its way into our awareness, leaving us wide-eyed and wondering. It happens while holding a newborn baby. Watching a flaming orange sun slide into the sea. Or feeling the raw hunger to “know.” It occurs when the dearest of friends gather for a meal around a gentle fire.  Simple, everyday experiences of mystery, beauty, truth, and belonging lift us from our cultural malaise and awaken our heart’s desire for “something more.” These are signposts to knowing God, who alone can satisfy that desire. Without being aware of and responding to heart’s desire, we are left to live a self-directed life.  

PRAYER:

Written by Nicki Koziarz, a contemporary author and teacher.

God, help me love the life I live right now. Show me the good things I often overlook and help me be content with what I have. Forgive me when I compare myself to others, forgive me for longing for things outside of you and your kingdom. Thank you for loving me right where I am, right as I am. Help me keep my eyes on you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Todd Outcalt, a contemporary pastor and author.

Most people associate Halloween with fear—fear of death, fear of dying, fear of evil. But when we come to know the true power and trustworthiness of God, many of the fears we have in life melt away. Fear, however, is a natural and good feeling. Without fear we would make many stupid mistakes, hurting ourselves and others in the process. Without fear, we would not have enough wisdom to flee when true dangers present themselves. One of the ways people deal with their fears is by making fun of the fear itself. That, in fact, is part of the origin of Halloween, which means “all hallows eve.” People were naturally afraid of death and dying, and so they decided to face their greatest fear by poking fun at death. In 1 John, we are told that perfected love drives out fear. That is to say, when we become certain of God’s love, we don’t have to be afraid anymore. It’s as if God is the parent who comes in at night and tucks us in, turns on the night light, and tells us that there are no monsters. In God’s great love, all fear melts away. We can remove our fears by serving others. When we abandon our lives in service, we often discover that our fears lessen as our friendship and love deepens. As you and I think about our fears now, I hope that we will see that just as God has protected and redeemed those who have come before us, God will protect and redeem us, too. Even from death itself!

PRAYER:

This prayer, which is widely reprinted is from an unknown author.

Dear God,  as I carve my pumpkin, help me say this prayer:

Open my mind so I can learn about You;

(Cut the top of the pumpkin)  Psalm 100:3

Take away all my sin and forgive me for the

wrong things I do; (Clean out the inside) 1 John 1:9

Open my eyes so Your Love I will see;

(Cut eyes shaped like hearts) Psalm 119:18

I’m sorry for turning up my nose to all You’ve given me;

(Cut a nose in the shape of the cross) Psalm 100:4

Open my ears so Your Word I will hear;

(Cut ears shaped like the Bible) Isaiah 55:3

Open my mouth so I can tell others You’re near;

(Cut mouth in the shape of a fish) Psalm 118:17

Let Your Light shine in all I say and do! Amen.

(Place a candle and light).   Matthew 5:16 

Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), an English author and pacifist. This is an excerpt from her book “The Light of Christ.”

To go where healing love is needed and give it in a way in which it can be received, often means acting in the teeth of our own interests and preferences, even religious interests and preferences. Christ risked his reputation for holiness by healing on the Sabbath; he touched the unclean and dined with the wrong people; he accepted the love and companionship of a sinner (that most wonderful of all remedies for the wounds of sin). He loved with God’s love and so went straight to the point: What can I do to restore my fellow creature and how?

PRAYER:

Written by Debbie McDaniel, a contemporary author.

Dear God, Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us, as with a shield. We ask for your guidance so that we might walk fully in your blessing and goodness today. We ask that your face would shine on us. That you would open the right doors for our lives and for our loved ones, that you would close the wrong doors and protect us from those we need to walk away from. Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Howard L. Rice, an author and  professor of ministry and Chaplain Emeritus at San Francisco Theological Seminary. This is an excerpt from his book “Reformed Spirituality.”

We can be energized and motivated by our personal experiences of God, so that we have both the vision and the strength to go out and engage in acts of risk-taking on behalf of others. Our own experience becomes the source for our motivation for involvement with others. Our freedom from self-centeredness is freedom to care more fully for them. As we are met by God’s love, we are compelled to share that love by our actions. Thus, our prayer becomes the force that empowers us to engage the world. We move back and forth between being renewed in silence and quiet by ourselves, reading the Bible and praying, and then carrying that new energy out into the world with vigor. This back-and-forth pattern is a central way in which the spiritual experience of the individual is related to the activity of the disciple. The movement back and forth may be daily or weekly, or it may follow some other pattern. Some people are so heavily involved with the world that they find it necessary to take a day a month for personal retreat.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the Augsburg Fortress Press, the official publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Almighty God, your Holy Spirit equips the church with a rich variety of gifts.  Grant that we may use them to bear witness to Christ in lives that are built on faith and love.  Make us ready to live the gospel and eager to do your will, so that we may share with all your church in the joys of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Richard Rohr, a contemporary American Franciscan priest and writer. This is an excerpt from his book. “Everything Belongs.”

Prayer is not primarily saying words or thinking thoughts. It is, rather, a stance. It’s a way of living in the Presence. It is, further, a way of living in awareness of the Presence, even enjoying the Presence. The full contemplative is not just aware of the Presence, but trusts, allows, and delights in it.

PRAYER:

Written by Kelly-Jayne McGlynn, a contemporary writer and editor.

Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for your steadfastness and continual presence in our lives. Sometimes, we can feel you right next to us. But sometimes, it is hard to know that you are there at all. Sometimes life gets so difficult that our hearts just cannot feel you through the pain. Sometimes you take away those feelings so that we may seek you even more fervently. I pray today, Father, that I may rely not on my own feelings but rather on your love for me. May I rely on your Word to be the truth that rules my life over my own understanding. Help me to see you and believe in your character even though my feelings may tell me otherwise. You are kind, you are good, and you are gracious. You are both all-powerful and all-loving. You care deeply for me and for my loved ones. Be with me as I live out these truths no matter what my circumstances are today, Lord, as we walk forward together. I love you and pray all of these things in your Son’s amazing name, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher, theologian, and author.  This is an excerpt from “Renewing the Christian Mind: Essays, Interviews, and Talks.”

Truth is the point of reference that we share with all human beings. No one can live without truth. Though we may disagree about which particular things are true or false, allegiance to truth—whatever the truth may be—permits us to stand alongside every person as honest fellow inquirers. Our attitude is therefore not one of “us and them,” but of “we.” And we are forever here to learn and not only to teach. So, if at all possible—sometimes it is not, due to others—we “give our account” in an atmosphere of mutual inquiry animated by generous love. However firm we may be in our convictions, we do not become overbearing, contemptuous, hostile, or defensive. For we know that Jesus himself would not do so because we cannot help people in that way. He had no need of it, nor do we.

PRAYER:

Written by Joyce Meyer, a contemporary author and speaker.

God, You are worthy of all my praise and I want my words to be pleasing to You. Help me to control my tongue-not to speak words that wound the spirit, but words that bring peace and healing and hope. Give me words to speak to others that will bless their lives. And help me to grow in my own personal knowledge of Your Word so that I can speak the truth boldly over every situation that arises in my life. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Word. I pray that it will be on my lips today and every day. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Mark D. Roberts, contemporary author and speaker.

In the opening chapters of Isaiah, God condemns Israel for its immorality and godlessness, predicting a day of painful judgment. The “sinful nation,” a “brood of evildoers,” “have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their back on him” (Isaiah 1:4). This unholy people will suffer the painful judgment of God. Yet, that is not the whole story. In those same opening chapters of Isaiah, the Lord also looks forward to a time of restoration, when the people and land will be blessed. In that time, those who have survived the judgment “will be called holy.” What does it mean to be holy? We don’t hear the word “holy” very often in contemporary English, except perhaps in the critical phrase “holier than thou.” Holy people are thought to be self-righteous at best and quite strange at worst. You probably don’t want people in your workplace calling you holy. Yet the biblical notion of holiness doesn’t have this negative connotation. To be holy is to be special—special to the Lord. Holy things are not for ordinary use because they are dedicated to God—say, for use in the temple. Holy people, by analogy, are set apart by God for relationship with God and for God’s own purposes. Holiness isn’t simply a matter of being separate from the world. It is being distinct from the world to be fully devoted to and invested in God’s kingdom. If we jump ahead several centuries, we learn in the New Testament that all who receive God’s grace through Christ are holy people. We have been set apart by God for an intimate relationship with him and for participation in God’s cosmic work. If we are holy in this sense, we aren’t cut off from the world. In fact, like Jesus, we are intimately involved with this world and its people. But we are different, in heart and in action, in commitment and calling, because of our relationship to a holy God. The point, of course, is not to be called holy, whether this is meant positively or negatively. Rather, the point is to be holy, to be people set apart by God for God’s work in the world. As holy people, we give ourselves to God and to others in God’s name. We are holy servants, holy healers, and holy restorers.

PRAYER:

Written by Mark D. Roberts, the author of today’s meditation.

Gracious God, even as you once called Israel to be holy, so you have called us. Those of us who know you through Christ have been set apart from this world. Yet we remain in this world to bear witness to you through our words and deeds. Help us, dear Lord, to be a holy people. Teach us how we are to be different from the world and its values. Yet, teach us also how to reach this world, how to extend your love and grace to the people around us. May our holiness be like your holiness: separate in crucial ways from the world, yet profoundly engaged with the world and its people. Amen.

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