Following the Star

Pause

Though stores have had Christmas decorations up since the day after Halloween, though the world seems more focused on good sales than good news, though exams and performances and traditions and parties make this one of the busiest times of year, our faith invites us this week to be still and know that God is near.

Listen

Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

2 Peter 3:14-15a

Think

What are you waiting for? The end of one project? The start of a new one? A Christmas program? Christmas Day?

The temptation when we are waiting for something is to hurry and move on to the next thing. We imagine what we will say or do when that time comes. We rehearse it all in our minds. We try to hurry others as well. We get so focused on what lies ahead in the future, we often miss what is happening right now.

Claiming the patience of the Lord, who sees time through the lens of eternity, can help us. Modeling our lives on God’s patience is truly a saving gift. God’s patience reminds us to slow down and notice God’s peace breaking in to our busy lives. How might God’s patience help you experience peace today?

Grace Burton-Edwards

Pray

God of peace, give me your peace to let go of the past and cling to your future, to dream your dream for the world, to slow down and see my life from your perspective, to welcome your righteousness, and to exercise your patience with myself and those around me. Amen.

Go

Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see Your face.
Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see.

Open my ears, Lord, help me to hear Your voice.
Open my ears, Lord, help me to hear.

Open my heart, Lord, help me to love like You.
Open my heart, Lord, help me to love.

John Michael Talbot