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2014 |
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Friday, April 4, 2014 |
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Part 1 Scripture: Matthew 6:32-34 - "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.:" Message: As I sit to write this Leten devotional the lights of Advent still shine. The reflections of my days turn from the purpose of Christ coming as a baby to his purpose of dying for my gain. I sit in my home in Florida, a home I have been a part of for only two years. My home here, whatever the season, is very different than my home in Pennsylvania. Here, I am a married woman with a doting husband and a loving mother-in-law who change their schedules to fit my visits and our primary activity is to enjoy our time together. In PA I am still married with the same doting husband and loving mother-in-law, and I am surrounded with a family rich in relationships, a community deep with shared experiences from 20 plus years of existence, and work that fulfills me while allowing me to share with others the amazing gift of God incarnate. I live in two worlds. Neither one better than the other, both rich in blessings and experience, but the connection between the two worlds is tenuous, it relies on purposeful time of sharing on the phone, planning trips, and practicing the art of leaving myself open to the lives of those distant to me. I struggle. No matter which end of the east coast I am in, my heart and thoughts are often on the people on the other end. At other times, I become so consumed in the world I am in that I devalue the other people--it is easy to enjoy the warmth of Florida sun while the north is slammed with snow, forgetting the extra work and added chores that come to those I love. Or, deep in the midst of whatever current project I am working on in PA I must heed the loving words of my husband asking for me to please focus on him while we are talking. Prayer: Lord, Grant me peace as I allow You to set the priorities in my life. Kelly Anoka |
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Saturday, April 5, 2014 |
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Part 2 Scripture: Romans 7:15 - "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Message: Do you ever find yourself in two worlds? Maybe not two different locations, but still different worlds: perhaps work and home, or church and family, extending grace to some but not to others, believing one way but behaving another. Like Paul, you cry out, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (Romans 7:15) Every human that has ever existed has felt the discrepancies of two worlds--here or there, head or heart, spirit or flesh, hope or despair, God's truth or the world's reality. The disparity of attempting to live in two worlds could well cause us to adopt Solomon's conclusion as our own: that God had dealt a tragic existence to the human race. ( Ecclesiastes 1:13)Christ came as a man-human, to experience this discrepancy with us. Imagine the perpetual season of joy and celebration contrasted with the drudgery of taxes and census taking. Imagine the gap between two loving families--one that always existed and one made up of imperfect, unprepared people. Imagine the discrepancy between a world of wondrous worship and one of wickedness. Yes, "the man of sorrow well acquainted with grief" fits now for my Savior. ( Isaiah 53:1-3)Prayer: Lord, Even though we have experienced separation and often feel that we live in two worlds, help us to know that no matter where we are, You are always beside us. Kelly Anoka |
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Monday, April 7, 2014 |
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Part 3 Scripture: John 16:22 - "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." Message: And my ponderings circle back to the question of "why"- why did He come, why did He live, why did He die? My heart busts forth with praise as I grasp that even in this, my Savior understands me! He does know the sorrow of separation! He is well acquainted with the struggle and frustrations of living in two worlds! And I know He still loves me! He does not judge me as faulty when I cry for one home as I enjoy the other, or chastise me as I become frustrated with living in an imperfect world. He has experienced these things and knows the sorrow. Much more than simply knowing, Jesus came to reconcile these worlds! No amount of frequent flyer miles, texts, calls or visits will bring my two worlds together. No matter how diligently I practice the presence of the season of Joy, the reality of the world will intrude. No time of worship, genuinely experiencing the presence of God will be like the union we will all feel when we are united again in heaven. No effort on my part will allow me to keep perfect step with Heaven and Earth. He lived in both worlds, died in one and brought each of us the gift that saves us the reconciliation of the world. Christ's gift of reconciliation is within our grasp. His love reconciles our world to His, our reality with His truth, our failings with His perfection, and our longings with His love. Prayer: Father, Help us remember that Your love reconciles our world to Yours. Kelly Anoka |
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