Читать книгу Advent: A Calendar of Devotions 2020 (Pkg of 10) - Jenny Smith - Страница 7

Grace to you and peace from God our

Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus. That is, you were made rich through him in everything: in all your communication and every kind of knowledge, in the same way that the testimony about Christ was confirmed with you. The result is that you aren’t missing any spiritual gift while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also confirm your testimony about Christ until the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and you were called by him to partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

—1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Our family recently went through a season of financial belt tightening. We discerned it would benefit us in many ways if we kept a closer eye on our purchases and monthly budget. At first, I thought it would feel like a burden. But I was surprised by how freeing it felt to bring mindfulness to our money. I found myself more thankful for the money coming in and certainly more aware of where it went out. I realized at a more conscious level that we had less money than I thought and needed to be intentional with it. Somehow in the act of less, I felt rich.

How is God’s grace making you rich in all things this season? Maybe you have an abundance of something this season like time, friendships, parties, or gifts to give. How might you show gratitude for these opportunities to celebrate as you wait for Jesus’ arrival?

Or maybe there is an area of lack in your life this Advent. Loneliness, debt, depression, or exhaustion may feel all too real lately.

Verse 7 reminds us, “The result is that you aren’t missing any spiritual gift while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” It first appears entirely backward that we could be rich in the waiting. Generally, we wait for something we have yet to receive. But somehow, in the beloved community of God, we wait for the fullness of Christ among us, and we’re already rich in everything. This Advent, I wonder where you’ll sense that anew.

Closing Prayer: God, help me see what I have through new eyes. Show me your abundance while I wait for you this season.