Placing My Ordinary Life Before God by Sharon Espeseth

Sharon fitting in some writing time

“So here’s what I want you to do, (Sharon), God helping you. Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, (caring-for-your-family) work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering.” (Romans 12:1 The Message--other parentheses mine.)

Duties and Distractions

Paul’s letter to the Romans always packs a punch, but Eugene Peterson’s wording makes this advice personal, so I add my name. Like Jesus’ friend Martha, I have an agenda and I get worried and upset when too many things are happening and I can’t keep up. Today, for instance, I have ideas for my blog and I need to get to my computer. The distractions I mention are good and important things to do, but I want/“need” to keep my writing commitment.

Recognizing Answers to Prayer

My husband Hank after a long time of feeling poorly, wants to visit the fruit truck this afternoon, so he can top up the freezer for future jam sessions. We went to mass at the senior’s residence this a.m. and had an appointment with our pharmacist. How can I complain about any of that?

Although making jam requires time and effort from both of us, I am delighted that Hank feels upbeat enough to consider his hobby of making jam. And I, thankfully, am well enough to help him. We won’t be making the jam right now, I remind myself,  and Jesus counsels us not to worry about tomorrow, "for tomorrow will take care of itself." Phew!

Hank enjoys making jam and sharing it
with family and friends.

I have prayed for some time that Hank would feel well enough to enjoy life and feel up to doing some activities he used to do. In this light, his wanting to make jam is an answer to prayer, even though I don't immediately see that. I grumble briefly to myself about the insufficiency of time. Then, asking forgiveness,  I admit that God knows way more about what's good for us than I do. I release my grip on the steering wheel.

Hank always loved planting--trees, a garden, potting flowers

Day to Day Life

Hank and I understand that this world isn’t our "forever home," but while we're here we will love and help one another. When Hank is ill, I'm his caregiver and advocate. I attend appointments with him, ask questions and take notes. I do research and reach out to others more knowledgeable than we are in medical issues.

When my hubby's in hospital, I bring his home-brewed morning coffee the way he likes it. I run errands and go for walks with him in the hospital hallways. When he's home, I cook foods that might tempt him to gain a few pounds.

Our present, but not our "forever home"

Looking for Guidance 

To keep me steady, I read God’s Word. I pray, and try to leave the rest to God. I read the Psalms and other scriptures that assure us that God is our strength and help in times of trouble.

For example,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 6-7 NIV)

"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 10 NIV)

Seeking and Finding God’s Purpose

"God’s Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105) Walking by lamplight requires faith in the One who lights and holds the lamp. At this point, I find it difficult to make long-range plans for life or for writing, but I trust the One who promises that he has plans for each of us-- plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. (Paraphrased from Jeremiah 29:11.)

Martha and I Grow Spiritually

I smiled when Fr. Johnny recently spoke about the fact that the world needs Marthas, because they are the ones who get things done. We first meet Martha when she is preparing a big meal for Jesus and his friends. We Marthas may complain when we feel overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. Over the years, some of us learn that we can’t do it all and that we don’t need to do everything to perfection. We learn that we need some quiet time, even if it means getting up early in the morning to have it.

I reread the conversation between Martha and Jesus after Lazarus had died. Martha, speaking her mind, reminds Jesus that if he had come sooner, Lazarus wouldn’t have died. But read further in John 11:17-27 and you will see how Martha’s faith has grown

Because I, like Martha, believe that Christ is the Son of God, I will “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

Love God, Your Neighbour, and Yourself By Sharon Espeseth

Who Is Testing Whom?

"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" the law expert asked to test Jesus.

"What is written in the Law?" Jesus asked. "How do you read it?"

Confidently the man responded, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself."

"You have answered correctly," Jesus responded.
"Do this and you will live."

Testing the Master further, the man asked, "And who is my neighbour?"

Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan who helped the man beaten, robbed, and left for dead. The priest didn't help the man. Nor did the Levite. But the Samaritan did. Samaritans, considered pagans or "half-Jews," were held in contempt by the Jews.

Jesus asked the law-abiding Jew, which of the three men would he consider a neighbour to the robbers' victim. "The one who showed mercy," the man answered.

"Go and do likewise," Jesus answered. (Luke 10: 25-37)

Go and Do Likewise

That's what Jesus asks us to do, even if doing so is uncomfortable. We are to show mercy to people in need, be that physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial. Jesus warned that there's nothing outstanding about loving those who love us; the challenge comes when that person is unkind, unreasonable, or unsavoury. Jesus asks us to love our enemies and pray for those who don't treat us well.

This kind of loving is difficult and God is well aware of that. Discussing the topic of "Christian Perfection" in My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers clarifies that Christian perfection is different than human perfection. (December 2) In this devotion, he explains that if we strive on our own to attain that kind of perfection, our efforts will all be to our own glory. Then a person might think, If I could be so loving and perfect, I don't need God.

". . . Love your neighbour as yourself."

Looking in the Concordance of my NIV Bible, I find the phrase, " . . . love your neighbour as yourself" in six books of the Bible: once in Leviticus and five times in the New Testament. Important concepts bear repeating. We know God wasn't encouraging us to love ourselves in a proud, self-absorbed way.

In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), Jesus shares ideas of how we should be in the world. Life will not always be "rosy," but God will bless us even, or especially, in adversity. Because this chapter is familiar to us, we often read it quickly. I recently read the passage in Eugene Peterson's The Message. Here the words jumped off the page, so I read and reread this portion prayerfully over several days.

Blessings on the Poor in Spirit

Even as Christians, we can berate ourselves for not being patient enough, smart enough, courageous enough, talented . . . Most of us have been poor in spirit at times in our lives. Peterson, a Greek scholar and theologian, paraphrases Christ's words, "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."

What does it mean to be meek? For this verse, Peterson says, "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."

If these verses comfort you, read The Beatitudes in The Message online. If we can learn to accept ourselves for who we are and do for God what we can, we'll realize we don't have to go around apologizing and hiding our real selves. 

Oswald Chambers says, "God's purpose is not to perfect me to make me a trophy in His showcase; He is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He wants." That's what I can do: spend more time with my loving Creator, read His Word, and let Him guide me.




Prayer: Here I am, Lord. I come to do your will.

Expectant Living -- Janet Sketchley

The Message describes Joseph of Arimathea as “one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God.” (Mark 15:43, MSG)

What does it mean to live expectantly? Joseph wasn’t expecting his will, he was waiting and watching for the kingdom of God—for God’s rule to be restored.

He wasn’t mired down in daily life thinking that was all there was. Instead, he probably examined what went on, looking to see God working.

Father, help me not get so bogged down in the now that I lose the bigger picture of Your Kingdom. Help me live alert, give me eyes to see and a heart to understand. Help me live expecting You to be at work—because You are. Protect me from false expectations, and help me to expect only You.

© Janet Sketchley, 2009
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For devotionals, reviews and conversation, stop by Janet Sketchley's blog, God with Us: Finding Joy.

Marriage as Art -- Janet Sketchley

“Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.” Mark 10:9, MSG*

Jesus is talking here about marriage and divorce, reminding the Pharisees of God’s original intention and saying Moses only permitted divorce “as a concession to your hardhearted ways.” (Mark 10:5, MSG)

What catches my attention is Eugene Peterson’s use of words like organic union and art. Do we consider marriage as one of the many intricate and perhaps delicate pieces of creation?

Couples speak of guarding our marriages, but do we think of them as God’s art? It’s not just about us. Could it be a sacred trust?

Divorce may be the sad evidence of art damaged beyond repair, but what about the art that’s still in one piece?

Marriage is hard work. Two separate, imperfect wills are becoming an “organic union”. How often do couples struggle at this in our own strength? The Master Artist’s hands are poised to create something beautiful. Let’s remember to ask for His touch every day.

*The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

© Janet Sketchley, 2009
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For devotionals, reviews and conversation, stop by Janet Sketchley's blog, God with Us: Finding Joy.

Obedience -- Janet Sketchley

The NIV is my usual Bible of choice, but every so often I’ll pick up a different translation. Sometimes a phrase in a different version jumps out at me.

When the Apostle Paul made his final trip to Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit warned him there was trouble ahead. Paul’s friends begged him not to go, but he said, “You’re looking at this backwards. The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can’t you see that?” (Acts 21:13b, MSG*)

Let’s make this personal to our own lives. Whatever the stress, fear, pain, can we say “The issue isn’t what happens to me, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience”?

What the Master Jesus does through my obedience. What will He do, if we trust Him with our circumstances, and choose to obey? After all, it’s not about us at all...it’s about Him.

*The Message MSG Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

© Janet Sketchley, 2008
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For devotionals, reviews and conversation, stop by Janet Sketchley's blog, God with Us: Finding Joy.