[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
Colossians 4:16 (ESV) “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.”
- Meditate
Paul probably never imagined that 2000 years after he wrote the words above to the church that we would still be reading his letter. But he did know one thing, what he was writing was important and needed to be read. It was not important because he wrote it, though. What he wrote was important because it called us to attend to God in his speech and in his actions.
As vocational ministers, we know that reading the scripture is important. After all, we need to preach and teach a couple of times a week. And when we talk to people, a good Bible verse goes a long way to help bring the right level of piety to our words.
But the truth is that reading scripture is not enough. We need to listen to the scriptures. This is an important part of our role as members of the community of faith.
For when we come to Scripture, we find out what is going on in us. From the original speaker, the Book comes to us, the listener, and tells us how God is interacting with us.
Listening to scripture is not the same as reading scripture. It moves us from seeing the words on the page to seeing God at work in our lives.
Reading scripture is good. Listening is better.
- Pray
Father, as I read your scriptures, let me truly listen to what you are doing in my life. Let me see you at work, interacting with me today. Amen.
- Contemplate
1. As you read scripture today, pause after each thought and see if you can find where God is interacting in your life the same way he was interacting with the original speaker.
2. As a vocational minister, read Paul’s letter to the church at Colossi. As you read, look for how God is interacting with your life just as he interacted with Paul as he cared for God’s people.
(This devotional series is based on my notes from “Working the Angles” by Eugene Peterson)
