Proper 16 / Ordinary Time 21 / Pentecost 11
Devotional
Water From the Rock
Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
-- Psalm 71:6
There is an axiom of the reformed faith that vocation, or the call of God, is part of each of our lives. Some are called to be pastors but all of us are called to be ministers of the faith. This is reflected not only in the practice of ordaining elders and deacons as part of our church governance but also in the belief that God's call shapes what we do in the world outside of the church. There is a certain dignity to the belief that our lives have a God-chosen purpose that is greater than the immediate moment.
In moments of discouragement, it is easy to conclude that our lives are useless and our efforts to make a difference in the world are futile. At times when we feel surrounded by problems, it is easy to wonder whether anyone really cares about what happens to us. Psalm 71 becomes a framework for our prayers at such times. Because we are called by God, we are invited to call upon this God in times of distress. "Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel." When we are feeling overburdened by the stresses and challenges, we are encouraged to pray, "Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress."
If we were but a meaningless collection of atoms in an impersonal universe, such prayers would seem to be a delusion. If, however, we believe that God has called us and personally cares about us, then it is appropriate to pray, "In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me." We make such a prayer not simply from a position of self-interest but because we have some understanding of the very character of God.
If God has called us and intends for our lives to contribute to the fulfillment of God's purpose, then it is consistent with the character of God to provide for us the means to fulfill our call. While we do not pretend to understand fully the mystery of God's call in our lives, when we reflect back on the many twists and turns of our lives, we can sense the invisible hand guiding us. Our lives have meaning. Our "praise is continually of you."
-- Psalm 71:6
There is an axiom of the reformed faith that vocation, or the call of God, is part of each of our lives. Some are called to be pastors but all of us are called to be ministers of the faith. This is reflected not only in the practice of ordaining elders and deacons as part of our church governance but also in the belief that God's call shapes what we do in the world outside of the church. There is a certain dignity to the belief that our lives have a God-chosen purpose that is greater than the immediate moment.
In moments of discouragement, it is easy to conclude that our lives are useless and our efforts to make a difference in the world are futile. At times when we feel surrounded by problems, it is easy to wonder whether anyone really cares about what happens to us. Psalm 71 becomes a framework for our prayers at such times. Because we are called by God, we are invited to call upon this God in times of distress. "Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel." When we are feeling overburdened by the stresses and challenges, we are encouraged to pray, "Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress."
If we were but a meaningless collection of atoms in an impersonal universe, such prayers would seem to be a delusion. If, however, we believe that God has called us and personally cares about us, then it is appropriate to pray, "In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me." We make such a prayer not simply from a position of self-interest but because we have some understanding of the very character of God.
If God has called us and intends for our lives to contribute to the fulfillment of God's purpose, then it is consistent with the character of God to provide for us the means to fulfill our call. While we do not pretend to understand fully the mystery of God's call in our lives, when we reflect back on the many twists and turns of our lives, we can sense the invisible hand guiding us. Our lives have meaning. Our "praise is continually of you."
