The Penultimate Thought

Scripture

“For this reason we kneel before you Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. We pray that out of Your glorious riches You may strengthen us with power through Your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And we pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of Yourself O God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 NIVUK) 

The Penultimate Thought

We’re three days from the longest one of 2024 – the extended daylight is a wonderful gift for us – body, mind and spirit. Our gardens are burgeoning with colour, shape and fragrance. However, it does depend on our security and freedom because so many would long for a garden, or even one flower or piece of vegetable in their world of famine and destruction. 

Yet we live in hope that the God of all of us, from whom all sense of family and lineage comes, will through Christ one day reconcile the world finally to Himself and restore creation to its original intent. We have the light and beauty for a time and then winter comes both literally and figuratively.   

We are called to enjoy all the good things we receive but with the rich gratitude that enables compassion and eliminates entitlement. As creation has a summer of fruitfulness and abundance, may we live the same way, letting the breezes of the Spirit spread our seeds of forgiveness, generosity and service to those who come across our path for attention.  

A Prayer for Today

O ever present God, strengthen my will, that I may become increasingly watchful, alert to all that would impede my knowing, ever, how near you are.

O most near God, teach me to pray, enable me to lean into your presence, and to keep my mind and heart attached to you.

For you are the source of life and health, the hope of all who pass through affliction.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Scott Cairns, p. 90 in God for Us edited Greg Pennoyer, Paraclete Press)