Isaiah 55:1-3
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.”
What is it that you thirst for? Truth? Love? Affirmation? Intimate, authentic relationships? Meaning? Purpose? Belonging? Peace? Rest? Beauty? Justice? Freedom from sin? Forgiveness?
We all thirst for something. We all have those deep-seated desires that we long to have filled. It makes our hearts ache, makes us weep, sends us searching for something—sometimes anything—to fill the emptiness we feel inside. Think about the things you strive for…aren’t you tired? Read the passage from Isaiah again. Doesn’t God’s invitation tug on that same place in your heart you so yearn to have filled? And doesn’t it seem to offer something…more?
I’m asking a lot of questions for a reason. Questions invite us, call us, draw us in. There is something deeper here that can’t be captured in just one devo. I encourage you this week to really think about what you thirst for, and I’ll dive into the topic a little deeper next week. Keep your eyes open for upcoming LC-sponsored hall events that will touch on this theme. And most importantly, keep your heart and ears open to what the Lord wants to say to you.
There is more to this life, dear sisters, and I want to find it. Don’t you?
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of January 19, 2009
“Refinement is the delicate aroma of Christianity.” ~Charlotte Mary Yonge
Zechariah 13:8-9
“In the whole land," declares the LORD,
"two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
yet one-third will be left in it.
This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, 'They are my people,'
and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
~~~
As you probably know, there are quite a few other passages in the Bible that talk about God’s people being refined in the fire. But why would he do this? Sounds kind of mean, to bring us into the fire of pain and hardship. But that’s not the case at all—it is a refining fire. In order for precious metals to take shape and shine with a glorious luster, they must first go through the fire. A silversmith must hold the silver in the hottest part of the fire to burn away all the impurities. He not only has to sit there holding the silver, but must watch it the entire time to know the right time to bring it out of the fire. If the silver is left in a moment too long, it could be destroyed. And how does the silversmith know when the silver is fully refined? When he can see his own image in it! What an amazing picture of God’s love!
We, as servants of God, must pass through the refining fire. It burns and it scars and it hurts and it takes a long time...but in the end you will reflect the light of love and devotion that illuminates the pure and holy face of God. He knows his Creation and he always does what's best for her. You are strong, dear sisters, even though you may not feel like it. You will make it through the fire.
-----
Zechariah 13:8-9
“In the whole land," declares the LORD,
"two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
yet one-third will be left in it.
This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, 'They are my people,'
and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
~~~
As you probably know, there are quite a few other passages in the Bible that talk about God’s people being refined in the fire. But why would he do this? Sounds kind of mean, to bring us into the fire of pain and hardship. But that’s not the case at all—it is a refining fire. In order for precious metals to take shape and shine with a glorious luster, they must first go through the fire. A silversmith must hold the silver in the hottest part of the fire to burn away all the impurities. He not only has to sit there holding the silver, but must watch it the entire time to know the right time to bring it out of the fire. If the silver is left in a moment too long, it could be destroyed. And how does the silversmith know when the silver is fully refined? When he can see his own image in it! What an amazing picture of God’s love!
We, as servants of God, must pass through the refining fire. It burns and it scars and it hurts and it takes a long time...but in the end you will reflect the light of love and devotion that illuminates the pure and holy face of God. He knows his Creation and he always does what's best for her. You are strong, dear sisters, even though you may not feel like it. You will make it through the fire.
-----
Life Less Ordinary for the week of January 11, 2009
Hello everyone! If you are a returning student, welcome back, and if you are a new student, welcome here! In case you don’t know or don’t remember, I’m Angela, your Leadership Council chaplain :) I’ll be bringing you these shower devotionals each week on how to—you guessed it—live a life less ordinary for God.
I hope you’re ready for the new semester! It’s a chance to start fresh, start over, start anew, with the mercy and grace that God so lovingly shows us. No matter how much we screw up, how far we run away, or how harshly we turn our backs, he is always one step behind us, ready to scoop us up in his arms the moment we surrender. He loves us that much. No matter how bad things get, how far out of our control, or how helpless we may feel, he is in control and holds everything in the palm of his hand. He loves us that much.
I’m really excited to see the things that God has in store for us. And this semester, I want to do something different with the devos. I want to hear from you. Is there a topic or issue you would like to see? Something on your heart that you would like to share…maybe even write a guest devo? Have comments or questions, positive or negative? Please feel free to email me at angela.hoover@houghton.edu.
Also, I’ve posted all the past devos on this blog and will post each week’s devo as they come down from the showers. You can print them, email them, save them, or whatever! You can also leave comments there, including the option to comment anonymously.
As I said at the beginning of the year: Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it to the full. So why don’t we do just that? Let’s live life less ordinary!
~~~
Philippians 3:13-14 No, dear sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
~~~
I hope you’re ready for the new semester! It’s a chance to start fresh, start over, start anew, with the mercy and grace that God so lovingly shows us. No matter how much we screw up, how far we run away, or how harshly we turn our backs, he is always one step behind us, ready to scoop us up in his arms the moment we surrender. He loves us that much. No matter how bad things get, how far out of our control, or how helpless we may feel, he is in control and holds everything in the palm of his hand. He loves us that much.
I’m really excited to see the things that God has in store for us. And this semester, I want to do something different with the devos. I want to hear from you. Is there a topic or issue you would like to see? Something on your heart that you would like to share…maybe even write a guest devo? Have comments or questions, positive or negative? Please feel free to email me at angela.hoover@houghton.edu.
Also, I’ve posted all the past devos on this blog and will post each week’s devo as they come down from the showers. You can print them, email them, save them, or whatever! You can also leave comments there, including the option to comment anonymously.
As I said at the beginning of the year: Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it to the full. So why don’t we do just that? Let’s live life less ordinary!
~~~
Philippians 3:13-14 No, dear sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
~~~
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