Reflection Expectant Joy: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Make a list of the most challenging experiences of your life: physically, relationally, and spiritually.

2.     Next to each category write the characteristics that got you through. For example: determination, commitment etc.

3.     In each trial how much did your spiritual faith take a role either positively or negatively?

4.     When you look back at each in what ways has your perspective changed from then to now? Why?

Share: Have you experienced a sense of joy through a difficult season? How did it change the circumstances?

Expectant Joy: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 12:2, “who for the sake of the joy that was set before him,”

Athletes, musicians, and dancers are known, along with several other professions, for facing grueling schedules, as well as physical, emotional, and spiritual tension. The pressure has been known to make or break a career despite talent.

Yet for each one the initial choice is made to endure hardship for the hope of the prize or success. A choice to commit—yes—but how often with a sense of joy in the process?

Then there are so many who face daily struggles just to face the physically, mental and emotional needs of themselves or a loved one. Not a choice—but still a commitment. How often with joy when fatigue saps strength moment by moment?

Yet none of us come close to the cross—to the plan Jesus chose to endure—for each of us.

His faith vision looked beyond the immediate pain, beyond the devastation of sin’s legacy, beyond the present futility, towards goals that encompassed the imperishable. His ability to choose a higher value than immediate needs leaves us an example to follow when crisis of any kind debilitates our lives.

He continues to go before us and prepare our paths. He continues to stretch our thinking beyond survival, or hope in the end, to the experience of His joyful Presence now.

Yet how often do we truly look for His joy?

Lord, please enable us to mirror Your values in all circumstances, so that we can focus on the imperishable regardless of how difficult a season we are in.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 126:5-6

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,

Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Kingdom Manna

Grace

Mark 10:14, But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them; “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”

His own disciples saw the children as an intrusion. They rebuked the parents for bothering Jesus. His time, His person, was too important to deal with those too young to comprehend His teaching.

Encroachment.

Even parents and teachers often dismiss spiritual questions as just curiosity and either ignore or talk down answers. ‘When you’re older—you’ll understand,’ we say. Except maybe it’s we who don’t understand.

His truth penetrates all ages. The children hear clearly, respond honestly, question often. They participate in the relationship without guile, without guilt. Moment by moment.

Expectancy.

Everyday Lord, help me to come to You with a child’s heart, open to new experiences. Willing to live an adventure. Learning to live in Your kingdom. Willing to be taught. Wide-eyed with wonder.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 78:4

We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation

the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.