I anticipate my daily time in meditation, deliberation and reflection as a spiritual aid in my goal of strengthening and realizing my spiritual resources. I find the devotional, The Upper Room, both valuable and enriching.
On the morning following Black Friday, I read a devotional that benefited and motivated me. I share these reflective comments in their entirety from The Upper Room (12.1.08)., as written by William David Willis of Australia.
Impressions (John 1:14-18)
The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people – John 1:4 (TIV)
Have you ever visited the lost and found office of a bus or railway station? To do so is to be amazed at the quantity, size and variety of items left behind by travelers. You might be tempted to ask, “How could someone possibly have forgotten that?”
Have you ever left something behind? I well-remember leaving a camera behind on a bus in London and being joyfully reunited with it two days later!
Every day we leave behind us attitudes and feelings that have a powerful effect on those who “find” them. Perhaps we leave happiness, positive ideas and thoughts, kindness and love. Or maybe we leave behind us bitterness, jealousy, unhappiness, hatred, and conflict.
Our Lord left behind a wonderful legacy — the gift of God’s Grace that brings joy to our lives and purpose to our days on earth. John 1:16 reminds us that we have all benefited from such rich blessings Jesus brought by his teachings, by his death, and by his resurrection.
Our challenge is to continue Christ’s work by leaving behind evidence of his presence in our lives. When we do, we enrich the lives of those around us.
Prayers: Grant us understanding, O God, of our influence for good and ill in our living. May your loving light shine through our lives to light the way for others. Amen.
Thought for the Day: What do others know of Christ because of knowing me?
~~William David Willis, New South Wales, Australia
Prayer Focus: For deeper intimacy with God
Prayer: Thank you God for the lights in our journey of faith. help us in turn to be lights for others.”
Thought: Leave a light on for those who will follow.”
The Upper Room devotional is available at United Methodist Churches in your community.