Each Wednesday, a devotion is posted here, sent via email to our email list and also posted on our Facebook page. If you would like to be part of our email list please contact the church office. In addition, check out past Devotions on our Facebook page.
I often receive feedback that the devotions are rich in content and are complex. Reading devotions whether short and concise or longer and complicated should never be read once quickly. All types of devotions should be read multiple times using contemplation, reflection and pausing. In those spaces of contemplation and reflection we experience the Holy Spirit interacting with us. Sometimes, individuals will reach out and provide their thoughts and reflections on their devotion. My intent has always been to create a dialogue. So read these in the way that best works for you to experience the Holy Spirit and create a dialogue with others in our community.
Wednesday April 24, 2024
Hi St. Andrew’s UMC Community ….
What is on your mind? Are you focused on something you have to do, or a worry, or your illness or pain? Or are you focused on God’s presence with you right now? Today’s devotion reminds us of what it takes to focus only on God’s presence in the challenges of life.
The Next Step
Job 27:1-6
What shall I do? Or What is my next step? Have you ever asked yourself those questions? Maybe you are asking them now in your life. What is my next step? Job, had a lot of things happen to him that were not his fault. Tragedy upon tragedy. And God was nowhere to be found! I wonder if many can relate to Job, as it can seem that life is not always fair and unexplainable.
Friends of Job were debating with him, essentially trying to prove, that he did something and deserved God’s judgement and wrath. And in these verses, Job says I don’t understand what is occurring but I will praise God as I know I did nothing to deserve this. Praise God in the unfairness and pain of life. Can you do that? I struggle with it and often do not praise God but sit in the anger of the unfairness and pain. What do you do?
Job also knew that God was with him during all of this. The poetic words of verse 3b - God’s breath is in my nostrils reminds us that no matter what occurs in this life God is present. And yet, we wonder why God is not fixing the problem. Job, didn’t focus on what God did or didn’t do, but just God’s presence. In your unfairness and pain can you just focus on God’s presence that is in every breath you take?
Job reminds us that God’s presence is enough. Can you live your life like that? That no matter what is happening, you live in the way that God’s presence is enough? It is tough and challenging and maybe even seems impossible, but yet Job reminds us it is essential in our faith to life in God’s presence as enough.
Oh God of enough, God of presence, God in my breathe – help me to live in Your presence as enough. Help me to live in Your presence above the unfairness and pain I face. Amen.
by Rev Dave Piltz
