Scripture Verse that Caught My Attention Today: Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”
Observation: Sometimes what we ask for or expect is too small.
Application: One of the affects of marketing--these days as well as long, long ago—is that it messes with our understanding of what really has value and what will really bring us wholeness. The lame man in the passage above was willing to eke out his existence through a regular supply of handouts. Peter, of course, showed him a better way.
On a hopefully related note, my prayer right now is for the Chilean minors who, last night, were rescued after nearly 70 days underground. This prayer also extends to those who rescued them. Rescuers and Rescuees will face many pressures related to their newfound celebrity. Our natural and almost insatiable curiosity about them and their ordeal will help create such pressures. Will they be able to keep in mind what really brings wholeness and from whom it is ultimately found? I’m hoping they will. But it won’t be easy, and I’m not sure I’d fare any better. It occurs to me that, had they perished below, they would have been forever memorialized. But now that they’ve emerged it will be interesting to see to what extent they are able to embrace their own humanity in light of certain pressures to be something more. And it will be interesting to see to what extent we can embrace their humanity as well, loving them for all the good, bad, and sometimes ugly expressions that come from mere mortals. And should minors and rescuers ever short-change themselves in terms of what they want, hopefully there will be a form of Peter somewhere who will offer them something more.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for real-life stories that inspire us, both from Biblical times and from now. Now I pray that those from whom such inspiration comes might receive a special measure of perspective from you, keeping them grounded in you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Nehemiah 11-12, Psalm 1 and Acts 3)
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