more, monday

Monday, June 22

Opening Prayer: O God, our Father, the One from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth derives its name, we thank you that you want fullness for us.  And not merely all the fullness we can hold, but you long for us to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  That is more fullness than we dare image, ask for, or dream about.  Thank you that that’s your deepest desire for us in Christ.  We pray in his name.  Amen.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Journal: What word best describes your life with Christ right now: dwelling, rooted, or filled?  How are each of these three words taking shape in your inner life right now?  What is the relationship between the three?

Reflection:

 

     Transformation and intimacy both cry out for ministry.  We are led through the furnace of God's purity not just for our own sake but also for the sake of others.  We are drawn up into the bosom of God's love not merely to experience acceptance but also so we can give His love to others.

     The world writhes under the pain of its arrogance and self-sufficiency.  We can make a difference, if we will.

     In earlier days, we tried to serve out of our spiritual bankruptcy, and we failed.  We now know that ministry must flow out of abundance. 

     Bernard of Clairvaux writes, "If then you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than a canal.  For a canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, but a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus communicates, without loss to itself, its superabundant water.  In the Church at the present day, we have many canals, few reservoirs."  We have determined to be reservoirs. (Prayer by Richard J. Foster)

Prayers

Closing Prayer: My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19, The Message)