Before
This fresh set of Daily Devotions is being provided for our LCA/NZ family, friends and visitors to help us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we face unsettling times. They can be used by families and individuals as part of the LCA/NZ’s Church@Home resources to encourage us and build trust in our Heavenly Father during this season of uncertainty and physical isolation.
by Barb Niczynski
Click here for your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better’ (Ephesians 1:17).
Major events disrupt our lives: birth, death, illness, divorce, new relationships, moving … or a pandemic. There is always what was before, what is happening during, and what comes after. ‘After’ is never the same as ‘before’. It cannot be, and it should never be. God wants to use ‘before, during and after’ events to grow us, challenge us, draw us closer to him, and invite us into his love and compassion.
What was your ‘before’ church life like? Looking back, do you feel you were a nurturer, a nest-builder for the young in life or faith? Was it a place of safety, a feeding place? Did it encourage others to test their wings, to dare courageously in a leap of faith out of the nest? As you added twigs to the nest, did they strengthen faith, build courage, build a home? Or did they bind with rules, tight structures of behaviour, and conformity? Were you going around in meaningless circles, or were you part of a team working in unity for the good of all and the glory of God?
How was your personal spiritual life ‘before’? Has this absence of structured church life given you the opportunity to consider your real relationship with God? Perhaps something was lacking? Perhaps you have realised just how strong and secure your faith was after all?
As the saying goes, ‘You can’t know where you are going, unless you know where you came from’. May God bless your examination of your ‘before’ soul today.
Jesus, I commit and open my soul for examination to you today in honesty and trust. Reveal to me in gentleness and love. Bless me with integrity and compassion as I hear with wisdom and revelation. Holy Spirit, keep unwarranted judgement away as I examine my heart. You know it all anyway, so I acknowledge that it is usually me who is conveniently unaware. Peace be with us all. Amen.
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