Fields United Methodist Church

Day 10:  Take time to Be Holy

March 31, 2020

“We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

 Hope in God’s eternal love does not disappoint rather it offers all that is necessary to move forward knowing that no matter where the path leads, it is God who will guide us home. There is no shortage of negativity in today’s current environment, and some may be justified. Yet a constant barrage of negativity and cynicism does nothing to inspire creative ideas nor does it solve any current challenges. As we move through life, God does strengthen us along the way; may not at first be appreciated but when we look back we realize the God of the ages, our Lord Jesus Christ, has been fulfilling his promise to us with every step we took, no matter the suffering, no matter the hardship. With God’s help, we endure and ultimately our character, our faith, produces hope; hope that acknowledges that we know God was with us, and God will continue to be with us. So today think of hope as a huge “yes” to God, “yes” to promises fulfilled through Jesus Christ, and “yes” to another day of joy and possibilities. Hope in God’s love that will never disappoint, will never waiver, will never let you go; it is looking to this day, today, as a new day in the Lord, a new day of new beginnings, a new day of hope. Many years ago I was driving along complaining about the weather and the traffic with one of our children who was probably no more than 2 at the time. As I was ranting, an angelic child’s voice came from the back seat and said, “but dad, you said this is the day that the Lord has made” …From the mouths of babes… There is hope because there is Jesus. With hope celebrate this day as a new day; “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

How are you saying “yes” to Jesus today?

In what ways can you make today a day of new beginnings”

How are you taking time to be holy today?

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus for another day, filled with hope, adventure and gifts to rise up to the challenges that may come. Help us to celebrate you today as not just another day, but another gift from you.  Amen