Thursday, August 3, 2017

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Isaiah 55:1–5
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. (NRSV)

Reflection
Mic drop. We can all go home now, enough said! You go, Isaiah! God’s loving grace is available and offered to us—if we accept it, trust in it, live within it, are sustained by it.

Shaking my head in wonder at this purely elemental yet simultaneously mind-blowing gift of limitless grace that is reserved for me, for you, for all of God’s children.

A discipline, if you will, whereby I trust in God’s love for me, strive to follow Christ’s example and see others as Christ would; giving freely, resting easily, trusting in God’s guidance. A paradox that my humanness—exemplified by choice, reasoning, doubt, a need to be in control—impedes my ability to completely give my life over to this grace. An absolute truth that God knows my struggles and patiently walks with me. I am worth it.

Isaiah tells us that God’s all-encompassing love for us transcends geographical boundaries, tax brackets, political persuasion, gender, skin color, favorite color, etc. We are a lifted-up family of Christ followers.

Through Jesus’ suffering and death, Grace is bestowed upon me. Why then, is it so difficult for me to fully succumb to and trust in this Love? Why do I allow worldly things to influence me? Why can’t I be selfless?

Prayer
Gracious and loving God, walk with me as I stumble in my attempts to live in your love and accept your grace. Open my eyes, mind, and heart to receive your guidance. Help me to be mindful that others are absorbed in their own struggle. Help me to recognize Christ in all of those faces. Thank you, God for loving me, and thank you for the gift of my precious life. Amen.

Written by Holly O’Mara, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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