Scripture: John 6:38 (the Message)
I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.
Thought for the Day: This morning I offer these words from the translation known as the Message. This is a translation/paraphrase done by Eugene Peterson. Yesterday, Eugene Peterson died at the age of 85. He was a scholar and a pastor who left the academic life because he felt as if the church was where life really happened. In thinking about Rev. Peterson this morning, I was taken by these words from John 6, specifically the word of accomplish. Usually it is translated as simply do the will, but I believe we can all allow “do” to provide an escape clause 75% of the time. I can do some housecleaning, but I don’t have to do it very often. I do a little Jesus following here on Sunday morning and the occasion mission opportunity, but it provides me a lot of free time to not follow Jesus. But to accomplish the will of God is something a bit more demanding. And though these are the words of Jesus, according John’s Gospel, I believe they were intended to be a part of the mantra of those who choose to follow Jesus. On this day when we remember and honor a great voice in the Christian world, let us remember and honor him as one who accomplished the work of God.
Prayer: I do not wish to simply dabble in the faith, but to follow the one you sent to this world, O Lord. Encourage and inspire my living so that I am doing the work that will accomplish something significant for the Kingdom. Amen.
TOMORROW
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