Quiet Devotions is a daily devotion based on one of the readings from the Daily Lectionary (as it appears in the back of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006). All biblical quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) unless otherwise noted. May these devotions help bring you in closer relationship with the Triune God.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Year B, Epiphany 3, Monday


Inspired by 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

“Let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you.  This is my rule in all the churches…In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God.”  1 Corinthians 7:17b, 24

Encountering the risen Christ can utterly transform our lives.  Our outlook, our priorities, everything about us is affected; nothing about us remains untouched or off-limits to God once we begin to live according to our faith.

At the same time, however, we never cease to be who we are, who God created us to be.  Each of us was born with specific gifts, abilities, and weaknesses, and living a life of faith does not mean we give those up in order to try to be something we’re not.  Rather, living our lives in obedience to Christ empowers us to fully be the people God created us to be, whereas living apart from Christ means we’re only a shadow of what we could be.

Whoever you are, whatever you’re doing when God calls you, God wants you to continue using those gifts as you follow him.  The only difference is that instead of making your own way and living only for yourself, you’ll be living for the glory of the Lord, oriented toward him, part of and supported by the whole body of Christ.  And that one difference makes all the difference in the world.

Let us pray.  Lord of all, you created wondrous diversity.  Help us to recognize the unique gifts we each have to offer, that we may serve you fully and build up the whole body of Christ.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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