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, May 21, 2012

Year B, Easter 7, Monday


Inspired by Philippians 1:3-11

“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6

Have you ever had one of those days when it feels like nothing you do is right?  No matter how hard you try nothing works out the way it’s supposed to, and you begin to question why you’re bothering to try so hard, and you begin to doubt your own abilities.  You may even question your own self-worth.

You have worth.  You have value.  Not one of us is perfect, and most of us aren’t anywhere close to perfection.  But we don’t need to be perfect or close to perfection for God to cherish us; he called us as we were, where we were, with all our faults and shortcomings firmly intact.  And when he called us, he enabled us to take the first tiny steps toward him, in response to his call.  He gave us the ability to become the people he created us to be, but most of us have a long way to go before we achieve that goal.

God has begun a good work in you, and you are a work in progress.  There will be days when you take a few more steps closer to his ideal of you; there will be days when it’s all you can do to stand firm where you are.  And there will be days when you lose ground.  But no matter what day it happens to be, know that God has not given up on you or abandoned you.  His love for you is perfect, and he will complete the good work he’s begun in you.  Even if it takes a while.

Let us pray.  God of perfection, we are a long way away from fulfilling your will for us.  Encourage us in our journeys, that we may remain committed to following your path no matter what discouragements we may suffer.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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