Following the Star

Pause

God loves you.

Such a simple phrase and yet so hard to wrap our brains around some days. In these busy days of Advent leading up to Christmas, let’s pause as we think about this week of love. Today, may you be reminded of one of the ways God loves you.

Listen

And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

2 Samuel 7:10-11, 16

Think

Have you ever made a fort with blankets or sheets over furniture? What about putting a “do not disturb” sign on your door to keep everyone out? Made rules about who could come to your tree or clubhouse? We like having our own space. A place that is ours, where we feel safe. God is saying this for the people of Israel. It’s been rough for them, so God declares that the people get their own space where they will be left alone, where they can rest.

The fort, the do not disturb sign, and the rules about the tree or clubhouse usually only worked when somebody else, like mom or dad, helped enforce it. Sometimes, we are the ones that get a safe place, and sometimes, we are the ones that make sure that somebody else has a safe place.

Ruth Perkins Lee

Pray

God, thank you for safe places and for those who help make them safe for me. Show me how to do that for someone else so that they may feel your safe presence. Amen.

Go

Go now knowing that you are loved by God. You always have been. You always will be.

Go and share that love with the whole world. Make sure everybody knows.