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WUMFSA Devotionals for Advent to Epiphany, 2003 - 2004 Saturday, January 10, 2004 For surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation. Ephesians 3:2 I didn't grow up in the church. I wasn't baptized until I was 18. I didn't regularly attend worship until I was 21. Yet I started seminary when I was 23 and was pastoring a church by the time I was 29. I've experienced mysteries and I've had revelations. Christ can have a profound, life-altering impact on people's lives. Although I wasn't a church-goer in my formative years, when I was exposed to the teachings of Jesus through Sunday worship, spiritual retreats and singing in a gospel choir, I was moved and changed-one could even say I was converted. Through these experiences the mystery of Jesus Christ's transforming love was revealed to me. My life was never the same again. And so it is that I can relate to the Apostle Paul and his writings. Paul was on fire, tirelessly writing, traveling, and preaching in order to spread the word about Jesus -- despite the fact that in his early years he hadn't known a Christian life. However, by a fall to the ground and a mysterious, blinding encounter with Christ, God was revealed to him. His life was completely changed. He then dedicated his life to helping reveal this same mystery to others. In this Christmas season we celebrate the mystery of God's revelation in our lives. How can we share this revelation with others, particularly those who don't know Christ? How can we welcome them into our churches and share our spiritual experiences? PRAYER: Gracious God, be with us in this season,
leading us to new ways to see and experience you. Help us remember,
dear Lord, that Jesus was given to the whole world, not just
to church-going Christians. Inspire us to spread the word of
Christ, especially to those who are lost and lonely. Amen. |