Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Your world or mine, Lord? Sunday, May 23, 2010 Romans 8:16-21 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God ... (to) share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise ... What kind of noise? Like "a sudden driving wind," the Bible says. A noise that said, "Wake up! Pay attention! Be Here Now!" And then the Holy Spirit filled them up. Elijah had to wait for a "still small voice," but this time God went ahead and made some noise. This time his creation made some noise, eager to "share in the glorious freedom." Let the wind blow. It would be easy for me to take this for granted; it happened a long time ago. But I think that would be wrong. I think this story from Acts corroborates the message of Jesus, that God has come to earth. He is my father and yours. He not only plans to, but has, poured out his spirit on us. All that remains is for us to notice it and rejoice. Does my spirit bear witness that I am God's and not my own? And what of my inheritance ... Paul says that comes "if only I suffer with him." Which is nothing compared to the glory to be revealed. Sometimes I can feel pretty sorry for myself. When I feel misunderstood or treated unfairly, when I don't get what I want ... I think those are each growing points for me, which is another way to say points of suffering. Those are moments when I can either ally myself with Jesus or turn my back on him. There were two thieves crucified next to him, and each chose a different way. Jesus forgave them both. He does that for me too. When I am getting armored up with self-pity, Jesus quite easily forgives me. It's what he does. Thank God! Further along in chapter 8, this most triumphant of all Bible chapters, Paul writes that there is nothing that can separate me from the love of my Father. Even when I turn away he keeps loving me. And not only that, but in all kinds of ways he reminds me that he's near. "Wake up! Pay attention! Be Here Now!" Does that need to be comfortable for me? Of course not. None of us need to be comfortable. It's nice, but it's not God. My world is so small, Lord, and yours is so big. When I touch myself, all too often it's only to scratch an itch. When you touch me, I am healed. So I reach out for whatever touch you have for me. It's all I need. Lift me up into your world, Father. "; Add      Edit    Delete