HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
WEEK FOUR: REFRESHMENT
REDISCOVER
1 John 3:1 (NRSV)
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.
1 Corinthians 12: 4-6 (NRSV)
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
Our last word of this week of Refreshment is rediscover. Today’s Bible passages assure us that we are all God’s children, and that God has created us uniquely. Two incredible thoughts! God loves us as God’s own children. And God made each of us creatively, with unique gifts, special talents, and individual interests for serving and sharing with others. Living as God’s beloved children and according to God’s creative design, we can serve others capably, abundantly and joyfully. God delights in our delight!
Today we will explore our childhood a bit to rediscover any dreams and delights that may have been buried or set aside as we matured. We are created to live even ordinary days with childlike, wild abandon. With sheer, unbridled joy. Exuberance. Vivid imagination. Wide-eyed wonder. To see every day as an exciting adventure. To view every moment as a fresh discovery. But for a variety of reasons, we often forget this way of living and being. Today let’s rediscover ourselves in a new light- that of a beloved child of God, ready to learn and listen. Who am I as a child of God? How did God create me to live?
Loving Creator God, as we consider these next questions, please open our eyes and our wonder. Guide us in our thoughts, that we may learn and grow as your beloved children. Reveal to us any delightful hopes that have been hidden in our hearts. Remind us of our gifts. Help us to rediscover what we may need to be the people you have made us to be. Amen.
“We have what we seek. We don’t have to rush after it. It was there all the time, and if we give it time it will make itself known to us.” ~ Thomas Merton
Questions to ponder:
“When I grow up, I want to be a …. ”
Just for fun, I would like to…
When I feel creative, I would enjoy…
I wish I had more time to learn about…
One of my favorite childhood memories is when…
My ideal day would look like this…
I would like to expand my horizons by…
If I had the time, resources and courage, I would…
I regret that I haven’t yet…
I would like to be remembered as…
A person I admire is… because…
I believe God created me to be…