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Reflections

Welcome to the JCPC Daily Reflections Blog. Reflections are daily devotionals authored by JCPC pastors, staff and members and provide insight, guidance and comfort to help you make it through each day. If you’d like to receive Reflections each day via email,  provide your email address.

Wednesday, December 18 2019

Last Sunday we talked about Mary's story - when the angel Gabriel appeared to the young Mary and told her she would have a child in a miraculous way. (Luke 1:26-38) This child would be Jesus -- the Son of God sent to save the world. When the angel says this, there seems to be an implied pause, because it is only afterwards that Mary agrees to this. Apparently, she had a choice - a real choice.

 

Kathleen Norris writes about this and the other choices we face in life. She describes them as doors we can choose to walk through . . . or not. She also quotes a poem by Denise Levertov called "Annunciation" which describes these choices in life as roads we may or may not take, or gates we can walk through -- but if we choose not to enter in, "the pathway vanishes." All of this makes it even more amazing that Mary chose to go through with God's plan and give birth to this child. Because of her faith and courage, Jesus was born to save us and all of creation. Here is a part of the poem "Annunciation" by Denise Levertov:

 

Aren't there annunciations

of one sort or another

in most lives?

         Some unwillingly

undertake great destinies,

enact them in sullen pride,

uncomprehending.

More often

those moments

     when roads of light and storm

     open from darkness in a man or woman,

are turned away from

in dread, in a wave of weakness, in despair

and with relief.

Ordinary lives continue.

                                 God does not smite them.

But the gates close, the pathway vanishes.

 

Prayer for Today

God of life and giver of life's choices, may we discern the pathways you invite and call us take in life. Give us the courage to walk those roads, enter those gates, and go through those doors. Remind us that we can trust you to be present as we follow your path. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus who is the way, the truth, and life. Amen.

Posted by: AT 10:57 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
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