So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
For Reflection:
It is about this time each year that winter starts to wear me down. I can make it through a couple of months of cold and dark by cozying in for the season. But eventually, my vitamin D stores deplete, the lack of sun and extra effort of bundling against the cold drain my energy and my spirits. This morning, even getting the kids to the bus stop, there was a bitter northern wind that made me want to go back to bed. In self-protection, I turned my back to the wind and by doing so faced into the sun that is nearly due south this time of year. The miniscule warmth of the January sun touched my face and it was enough. Enough to remind me that God is the God of light, and even in the depths of winter he is giving good gifts. Gifts of the brightest blue skies and the most spectacular sunrises, of a mirror smooth lake to skate and cute rosy cheeks, of long evening hours allowing for warm tea infused conversations with friends. He does not change like shifting shadows or with the tilt of the Earth. He consistently chooses us, gives to us and cherishes us like a prized possession. I am restored and revived by the mere receiving of his gifts. It's more simple than I often try to make it. We just get to turn our face towards his light and receive.
Let us pray:
God, I can think in circles about who you are. The upside down ways of your kingdom often leave my brain baffled. I should be giving to you, my creator and savior. But in your awesome ways, you somehow want to give to me. I give up on my over thinking, my analysis and self-reflection and I just recieve. I breath in and open myself. I breath out and receive your blessing. I breathe this prayer to you until it settles into my soul. I receive your love in my life. I trust you as the giver of all good gifts. I look to you as the origin of all light, ready to bring to my life a light brighter than the noonday sun (Job 11:17, NIV), brighter than a mid-summer day, never changing or fading away. I receive your light especially in the depths of winter, especially when I can barely feel its presence. Although in the winter of my soul I don't always feel it, I trust you when you say I am your prized possession because in your upside down kingdom you call those who are at the end of their rope as blessed (Matthew 5:3, MSG) and I receive your blessing today.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)
I wonder where I see God’s good and perfect gifts and light in my life right now…
I wonder what blessing God is gifting me with today…