[A note to my readers. During this time of “shelter-in-place” I thought I would write a series of devotionals aimed for those in vocational ministry. I recently re-read Eugene Peterson’s book “Working the Angles” and thought that this would be a great time to refocus on my ministry priorities. There is some good stuff in there for those who are not in vocational ministry, but it is geared particularly to those who are. –jd–]
- Read
Leviticus 26:12 “I will walk with you—I will be your God, and you will be my people.”
- Meditate
Like many people, I keep a journal. It has taken different forms over the years, from legal pads to notebooks to OneNote files. I enjoy going back and looking through them from time to time. Often, I look at what was happening and carry on a conversation with my distant past in my head. I see now know how the situations I was facing have resolved, the decisions I was going to make have played out, and I reassure my written past that we survived. I know the whole story.
When we read Scripture, we are entering into a conversation with God, and into the story of men and women who were facing situations and decisions as they lived their lives. We see the beginning of the story as well as the ending. We know what has occurred and how the matter has been settled. We see the development of the characters and understand that everything in this conversation has significance.
In these stories, we find ourselves. We learn that nothing in the world of Scripture can be made sense of apart from God, and nothing in our world can be made sense of unless we walk with him. In reading Scripture, we are engaging in an active conversation with God between the biblical past and our present situation.
In times of crisis, in times of pain, in times of frustration, we have to remember that we know the whole story. We have conversed with God, and in him it all makes sense.
- Pray
Father, forgive me for reading scripture as some historical document and not as your living conversation with me. As I read, I see you at work. I can see the whole story. In my life right now, I don’t see the whole story, but I know you are at work. I trust you that this all makes sense. Amen
- Contemplate
1. As you read the Bible today, find yourself in God’s conversation with his people. What is happening in your life right now that parallels the passage? Ask God to help you make sense of the things you are facing.
2. Keep a journal. If you don’t have one, start it. If you do have one, continue it. From time to time look back over your history and see how God has been faithful to you.
(This devotional series is based on my notes from “Working the Angles” by Eugene Peterson)
