Following the Star

Pause

Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy it will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.

from The Dance of Life by Henri Nouwen (2005)

Listen

“God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won’t be afraid. Yah, the Lord, is my strength and my shield; he has become my salvation.” You will draw water with joy from the springs of salvation.

Isaiah 12:2-3

Think

What chore do you hate to do? Scrubbing the toilets? Vacuuming the stairs? In my house the chore that gets the most grumbles is doing the dishes. I think it’s because the dishes need to be washed and put up every day. The job is never actually complete.

In today’s scripture, that mundane, boring, grumbly chore would have probably been drawing water from the well. It was hot. Carrying the water was a heavy, hard job. It was a task that had to be done every day. The water jugs were never completely full.

And this is where the scripture decides to dive in. You will do this chore with joy from the springs of salvation?

Isaiah reminds us that God’s work can sometimes be mundane and even painful. But with God’s work there is always a reward to be had; for with God’s work, there is a spring that never runs dry. Let’s step up to the spring and begin doing the life-giving work that we all have been called to do.

Becky Caswell-Speight

Pray

Giver of all good water, what chores need to be done? How can I draw from the Spring of Life? Move me from grumbling to joyfully sharing with the world. Amen.

Go

Go now.

Move from a place of hiding.

Seek kindness and there you will find the face of God in every person you meet.