Daily Prayer - Stay fertile!

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

Here is an observation.  Figuratively speaking there are three places we can be in "the Church":

• We can be snuggled deep in the centre, surrounded only by people who have been here a long time, have a strong commitment to God, and a deep knowledge of His word.
• We can be near the door, welcoming newcomers, enjoying their marvel at being allowed in, and being constantly reminded that only through God's grace are we part of this wonderful body.
• We can be outside the door, inviting others in, enduring the battering of a society that rejects us as irrelevant, withstanding rejection and ridicule, and being tempted away from the door by the riches of this world.

I believe we need to spend time at all three stations, regularly moving from one to the other. 

 

We can rest at the centre, growing in our own faith and knowledge. 

We can rejoice near the entrance as we see others coming in, shaking off the cold, and warming to the love of God's people. 

And we can truly do His work by standing outside, proclaiming the peace that comes with salvation.

 

What we mustn't do is stay in any one place.  Consider it God's method of "crop rotation" to keep your soil fertile and productive.  (I know, my rural roots are showing.)

 

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear." (Matthew 13:3b-9)

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance!

Bruce

 

 

God our Father,
you conquer the darkness of ignorance
by the light of your Word.

 

Strengthen within our hearts
the faith you have given us;
let not temptation ever quench the fire
that your love has kindled within us.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

 

AMEN

 

(http://www.cathedralofsaintmatthew.com/LifeResources/Prayers/PrayersForFaith.htm)