Thursday, July 30, 2020
Broken and Given
“I realize that there is a mysterious link between our brokenness and our ability to give to each other. We both went through periods of extreme inner pain. And during those painful times, we often felt that our lives had come to a standstill and that we had nothing to offer; but now, years later, those periods have proven to be the times that made us able to give more instead of less.” pages 109-110
Henri Nouwen and his friend walked with each other through some painful times. As a congregation, we are walking together as many of us are experiencing painful times–job loss or reduction, financial insecurity, distance from family and friends, illness and grief. It can be hard to think about giving to others when we are feeling like we are just barely holding on to the things that we have right now.
But God calls us to look at these painful times, times that feel like clouds blocking the sunlight from our lives, not as obstacles to our vision of God’s goodness, but as a way that God’s provision is being revealed. In the book of Proverbs 16:15, we read, “In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.”
Many clouds are not empty, but filled with rain. Pray for eyes to see the clouds in your life as ways that God is equipping you to give more to those who need it in our church family.
Question to Ponder: Listen to the song, Sometimes He Comes in the Clouds by Steven Curtis Chapman. Pay attention to the lyrics. How have these words been true in your life?
This week’s devotions are adapted from the book, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Crossroad Publishing, New York. 2014.
Broken and Given
“I realize that there is a mysterious link between our brokenness and our ability to give to each other. We both went through periods of extreme inner pain. And during those painful times, we often felt that our lives had come to a standstill and that we had nothing to offer; but now, years later, those periods have proven to be the times that made us able to give more instead of less.” pages 109-110
Henri Nouwen and his friend walked with each other through some painful times. As a congregation, we are walking together as many of us are experiencing painful times–job loss or reduction, financial insecurity, distance from family and friends, illness and grief. It can be hard to think about giving to others when we are feeling like we are just barely holding on to the things that we have right now.
But God calls us to look at these painful times, times that feel like clouds blocking the sunlight from our lives, not as obstacles to our vision of God’s goodness, but as a way that God’s provision is being revealed. In the book of Proverbs 16:15, we read, “In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.”
Many clouds are not empty, but filled with rain. Pray for eyes to see the clouds in your life as ways that God is equipping you to give more to those who need it in our church family.
Question to Ponder: Listen to the song, Sometimes He Comes in the Clouds by Steven Curtis Chapman. Pay attention to the lyrics. How have these words been true in your life?
This week’s devotions are adapted from the book, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Crossroad Publishing, New York. 2014.
