Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
THURSDAY, October 8
1 Corinthians 12:1-11. There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord.
As the search for alternative energy sources ramped up, one ad for wind energy exhorted, "Believe in the wind."
Those simple words apply to the "wind" of the Spirit, too, moving through individual lives and hearts. I see people who are musical or artistic as special, gifted, whereas my gifts I write off as nothing more than hobbies.
But I have gifts--as others do--so that I can undertake some particular task in building God's kingdom. My passion for a certain kind of work, my love of words, my sense of humor-these are all manifestations of the Holy Spirit of God, given so that God can transform people.
As a Christian, I have to honor the gifts I have rather than wishing I had someone else's. I have to believe that the Spirit of God will use me, if I get out of the way, to make this world better and more godly. I have to trust God's decision to give me gifts that add to the kingdom of God. In other words, I have to believe in the wind.
PRAY for the Diocese of Taita-Taveta (Kenya)
Ps 131, 132, [133] * 134, 135; 2 Kings 23:4-25; Matthew 9:18-26
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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