Father, today was a gift. Due to icy roads, we ended up with no school. Karen and I both had productive days getting things done and then had a nice evening with family. Thank You for the blessings that so freely come from Your almighty hand!

Luke 4:31-37 (<<click to read the passage)

The first thing that grabbed my attention as I read through this passage of Luke’s Gospel was verse 32 when Jesus had moved on from Nazareth to teach in the synagogue at Capernaum.

“…the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.” NLT

“…they were surprised [almost overwhelmed] at His teaching, because His message was [given] with authority and power and great ability.” AMP

Words that jump out at me are amazed, surprised, and overwhelmed, then the words authority, power, and ability.

And as I sit here, I wonder, “Does what I do on Sunday mornings and at Monday night Bible studies even come close to any of the words? Does my daily interaction with friends and loved ones reflect these words?” Now I am not whining or wallowing in self-pity. I am honestly just looking at myself…and wondering, “Am I in any way like Jesus in those situations?”

I realize that I am not the author of the words I proclaim. I have not had the ability to watch every instance of human interaction from the beginning of time so as to understand every single nuance of interaction and communication that has transpired between these frail vessels of clay.

No, I am most certainly not God but…I am His child. I most definitely believe that because He is my Savior, my Guide, and my Comforter that His Spirit resides within me. In my imperfection, I strive for His perfection. I fall and fail and stumble but He is gracious and kind and merciful and compassionate. He forgives and lifts me up when I take a faceplant on the dusty paths of life.

And I know He uses me, in spite of my weakness. He takes the pittance that I have to offer and multiplies it beyond my comprehension to impact those to whom He is reaching out. I am truly but a vessel that He uses at every opportune time to touch lives that He has been touching all along. Whispering into ears deafened by the raging screams of life. Caressing the cheeks of those who have been beaten by hatred and perversion and disappointment. Opening the eyes of those who have been blinded by the acidic effects of self-righteousness and self-loathing. He. uses. me. to accomplish His will in a world resistant to His very existence.

So, in and of myself, I am useless. But in Christ, I am far more than useless. Through me, He still amazes people with His teaching. He amazes them, almost to the point of overwhelming them. Though I am weak, He is strong and speaks through me with authority and power and great ability! For He is God! And absolutely nothing shall inhibit Him in growing His Kingdom! Amen and amen!

Dec 17th, 2019, Tues, 9:00 pm