This devotional is part of a five day reflection on calling within the church.
Many of us need some noise. Consider using this curated playlist of meditative songs as background.
Pause
Take a few moments to breathe. Set down your phone, remove distractions. Allow yourself to become present in this moment with the Spirit of God.
Jesus, I come searching my own heart: all my attitudes and motivations. Search me, o God, and know my heart. Lead me in your path. Create in me a pure heart to know you and make you known.
Reflect
Today’s reading is from the book of Romans. In these short phrases the Apostle Paul gives us three powerful postures towards our life and obedience: 1. Courage over Shame. 2. Identity before Doing 3. Hope over Despair.
Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Shame drives us to prove ourselves through our efforts or hide our failures. However, the gospel is so powerful it brings salvation to everyone who believes. This creates a courageous conviction that what we have to offer, Jesus, is what everyone needs.
How does that reality change how you care for your friends, neighbors, and community?
Romans 8:15 - The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.
So much of our doing, even good things related to “church”, can be motivated by a sense of doing so we can belong. “If I do things, I’ll be accepted.” However, the Spirit does not come to us to make us slaves in the kingdom, but adopted heirs. You belong to the Father before you take one single step. You can serve with freedom knowing what you do, doesn’t make you any more loved than you already are.
How does that relieve pressure? How does that transform your posture towards what you do?
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
There is a hero complex within all of us. It’s easy to believe we can fix the world—at least our world—and we can fix other people. The reality is that we can’t, and our attempts to do so lead us to grumbling and anxiety. However, the hope of Jesus’ work to rescue the world fills us with joy and peace when we trust him to do “his thing”. In fact, it’s only from that posture of trust that the power of hope spill out into the lives of others.
How does fixing other people work? How is Jesus the real hero? What freedom does trusting him bring?
Ask
Spend time asking the Spirit to transform your heart and remind you of the truth of the gospel.
God, how have I operated in shame? How have I operated from duty and bondage? How have I tried to be a hero? Father, remind me of your truth, your power, your love. Spirit, overfill me with hope!
Yield
Returning to one of our passages from today:
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What areas of your life need the hope of God to fill you up? What power are you going to give to the Spirit to lead you?
God, I commit my life to the work of trusting you. I give you my heart, mind, strength and believe you will do with it more than I can imagine. I let go of my desires for control, significance, and comfort. You alone bring joy and peace.