TUESDAY, MAY 3
READ EXODUS 33:18-23
EXODUS 33:18 But Moshe said, “I beg you to show me your glory!” 19 He replied, “I will cause all my goodness to pass before you, and in your presence I will pronounce the name of Adonai. Moreover, I show favor to whomever I will, and I display mercy to whomever I will. 20 But my face,” he continued, “you cannot see, because a human being cannot look at me and remain alive. 21 Here,” he said, “is a place near me; stand on the rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you inside a crevice in the rock and cover you with my hand, until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand, and you will see my back, but my face is not to be seen.”
Involvement precedes interest. Before a deep and genuine interest can be generated, we must risk at least a minimum degree of involvement. Waiting for the mood to strike us before we take the first critical steps toward discipleship may mean a lifetime of boredom and wasted opportunities. The first son initially says no to discipleship’s call.
The mood does not strike him. He is disinterested. Later, he repents. Perhaps the mood still does not strike him, but he feels he should do it whether he feels like it or not. He gets involved, and interest develops later. His feelings and moods follow from his actions.
John Wesley wrote that he went “reluctantly” to a meeting on Aldersgate Street. He did not let his mood and feelings dictate his actions. He acted his way into feeling. He responded to the concrete moment, and his emotions followed later.
How often do we turn away from discipleship’s opportunities because we just don’t feel like getting involved? How often have we reluctantly said yes only to discover later how important such an activity was to us?
Almighty and gracious God, help us to follow you faithfully not just when the mood or moment strikes us but at all times. Amen.[Thomas R. Hawkins]
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
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