Daily Office - Wednesday, March 25
Silence and Stillness before God (2 minutes)
Scripture Reading: John 3:26-30
They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-the one you testified about-look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
To this John replied, "A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the messiah but am sent ahead of him.' The bride
belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less."
Devotional
Experiencing loss makes us confront our humanity and our limits. We quickly realize we are not in control of our lives; God is. We are simply creatures, not the creator.
Consider the example of John the Baptist. Crowds that formerly followed John for baptism switched their allegiances once Jesus began his ministry. They began leaving John to follow Jesus. Some of John's followers were upset about this dramatic turn of events. They complained to him, "Everybody is going to him" (John 3:26).
John understood limits and replied, "A person can receive only what is given to them from heaven" (John 3:37). He was able to accept his limits, his humanity, and his declining popularity and say, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30).
Getting off of our thrones and joining the rest of humanity is a must if we are to develop spiritual maturity. We are not the center of the universe. The universe does not revolve around us.
Yet a part of us hates limits. We won't accept them. This is one of the primary reasons that biblically grieving our losses is such an indispensable part of spiritual maturity.
Embracing our limits humbles us like little else.
Question to Consider
Name one or two limits God has recently placed in your life as a gift.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the arrogance that sees interruptions to my plans as alien invasions. Forgive me for constantly trying to do more than you intend with my life. Help me to be like John the Baptist, embracing my losses and respecting my limits. In Jesus' name, amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
Scripture Reading: John 3:26-30
They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-the one you testified about-look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
To this John replied, "A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the messiah but am sent ahead of him.' The bride
belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less."
Devotional
Experiencing loss makes us confront our humanity and our limits. We quickly realize we are not in control of our lives; God is. We are simply creatures, not the creator.
Consider the example of John the Baptist. Crowds that formerly followed John for baptism switched their allegiances once Jesus began his ministry. They began leaving John to follow Jesus. Some of John's followers were upset about this dramatic turn of events. They complained to him, "Everybody is going to him" (John 3:26).
John understood limits and replied, "A person can receive only what is given to them from heaven" (John 3:37). He was able to accept his limits, his humanity, and his declining popularity and say, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30).
Getting off of our thrones and joining the rest of humanity is a must if we are to develop spiritual maturity. We are not the center of the universe. The universe does not revolve around us.
Yet a part of us hates limits. We won't accept them. This is one of the primary reasons that biblically grieving our losses is such an indispensable part of spiritual maturity.
Embracing our limits humbles us like little else.
Question to Consider
Name one or two limits God has recently placed in your life as a gift.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the arrogance that sees interruptions to my plans as alien invasions. Forgive me for constantly trying to do more than you intend with my life. Help me to be like John the Baptist, embracing my losses and respecting my limits. In Jesus' name, amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
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