Monday February 5, 2024
Practice the Pause
February 5-9, 2024.
Motivate!
This week as I prepared to write, I read the daily lectionary readings and the reoccurring theme percolating in my mind, was about motivating others. As this theme emerged, I was thrilled by how the Spirit appears to open my eyes and my ears to see and hear something new in my daily readings.
I think we can all agree, we are a people motivated to do good. I wonder, however, what it is that motivates you to attend church Sunday mornings, participate in a small group, join a bible study, or actively engage in a mission project. As you read the devotionals and scriptures this week, I am praying for you to consider how the Spirit of God motivates you to continue your faith journey with an open heart and open mind.
February 5, 2024
Pause. Pray. Read. Be still. Write. Pray.
Read Acts 14: 1-7 The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. 4 But the residents of the city were divided: some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region, 7 and there they continued proclaiming the good news (NRSV).
Be Still: Paul and Barnabas spoke to the crowd in a heartfelt way that both Jews and Greeks became believers, but then the Jews spoke to the gentiles in a manner that created harm, pitting them against their friends. Thanks be to God, God’s grace prevailed, and because of this, signs and wonder were experienced through Paul and Barnabas, a motivating factor for the two men to continue the work of the Lord.
Do you ever have days overcome with information overload? When messages come at you from different directions, and all you want to do is simply go into a room, close the door, disconnect from the news and social media and simply just be still. Days like this happen to me from time to time and when they do, picking up a paintbrush, exercising, or reading a favorite devotional usually brings me back to center by remembering the grace extended to me from others.
How might you respond when messages you hear from all directions are overwhelming and confusing? What motivating factor allows you to celebrate God’s grace working through you? Take time today to reflect on the countless ways God’s grace is visible in your life.
Prayer: God of awe and wonder, today we celebrate the multitude of ways you continue to motivate and inspire us to do your work. May we always remember when the world tries to consume us with negativity attacking our healthy, effective ways, remind us to pause to sit with you, celebrating your grace in our lives. Amen.
Pastor Kellie