Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Lent 2018 | Page 33

How Humble?
Monday, March 12th
Ephesians 4:2
I am writing this devotion during the season of Advent. The theme of our worship services during this
season of preparation is that Jesus is coming soon as the Savior of nations. We prepare for the arrival
of the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. Yet we also look past his initial arrival as we prepare our
hearts in repentance for his second coming in the clouds.
What do we do while we wait? I am somebody who loves to read. Before I head off to the doctor's
office, I want to be sure to have a paperback or my kindle in hand to make the time move along in the
waiting room.
What do we do while we wait for Christ's return? We have a to do list of "Bs" in these words from
Ephesians 4. These are marching orders that are more easily said than done. These are things to be
done to the glory of God, not to earn the salvation that Christ has already won for us.
Be completely humble- as we realize our unworthiness before God, as we remember our baptism and
the fact that our sins are washed away, we marvel at the love of God and the impact of that love on
us. In humility we look to serve those neighbors around us in many ways, especially by sharing the
words of hope that the Holy Spirit used to bring us to faith.
Be gentle- endure the irritations and aggravations that we might deal with from others with love.
Be patient- this might be in particularly short supply for sinful people living in a sinful world. When
will Jesus return so we don't have to deal with the challenges and to do lists that mount up? In the
mean time we rejoice at all times- even when we have to wait.
Bear with each other in love– empathy is part of our lives of service as we serve our neighbors. Often
times we are better off understanding that less might be more. Bearing with each other isn't making
somebody else's rough situation better in order to have the spotlight shine on yourself.
The word “completely” lets us know that God's expectations for us can be daunting. His love covers all
of the times that we fall short in the areas of being patient, loving, and gentle.
Prayer: Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like
to that above. Amen. (Verse 1 of “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” by John Fawcett. #494 in Christian
Worship—a Lutheran Hymnal.)
Activity: We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear, And often for each other flows The
sympathizing tear (Verse 3 of “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” by John Fawcett) . Discuss what we might do
to humbly serve folks in our congregation and community.
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