come

Opening Prayer: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that your soul may live.” (Isaiah 55:1-3, NIV)

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3

Journal: Where do you really believe life comes from?  Be honest.  What would your life say as far as what you believe about where life comes from?  What do you spend most of your time and effort pursuing?  Is it bringing you the kind of life you hoped it would?  Is it bringing you the kind of life God offers you?  How will you come and eat and drink of God? How will you listen to him and give ear to what he says, that your soul may live?

Reflection: It seems to me that we spend so much of our lives trying to manufacture and produce a result that can only come about organically.  We invest so much time and energy trying to create, or defend, or maintain a way of being that can only be given to us by a hand far greater than our own.  The life of the Spirit cannot be controlled or manipulated; it cannot be taken by force.  It can only be received.  But that has never stopped us from pursuing and trying to find life on our own.  We do it all the time.  Where do we really believe life comes from anyway? 

     The reality is that real life—true life, abundant life—comes only from God.  Everything else is just a cheap imitation.  He is the giver of life and we are the receivers.  Oh sure, there are certain things we can do to ensure that the soil of our souls is fertile and receptive to whatever God may want to plant within us, but the growth of it is all up to him.  The fruitfulness—as opposed to productivity—of our hearts and souls and lives is up to God.  It happens at his discretion and his control, not our own.  All we can do is heed the words of Isaiah 55 and come, listen, give ear, and hear.  The rest is up to him.

Prayer

Closing Prayer: “Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money—everything’s free! Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest. Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.” (Isaiah 55:1-3, The Message)