Today’s Reading: John 17:12 (NIV)
12 [Jesus said,] “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name You gave me. None has been lost except the One doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”
Good morning!
There was a sense of excitement at the soccer park yesterday, when the children completed their 2008 soccer season undefeated! You could see it on their happy faces; there was a true sense of accomplishment – of joy! Some were sad to see the soccer season end; others were happy to complete what they had set out to do. This group of children had learned how to be work as a team together, to accomplish goals. And together, they scored a lot of goals this season.
At the pizza party that followed, our granddaughter Emily could hardly wait to receive her very first trophy. The prize was sitting on a shiny white base with her name inscribed on its face. A tiny soccer player held a soccer ball high above its head and the ball would spin when you touched it. They called Emily’s name and she went to the front of the line, running into her coach’s outstretched arms. He handed her the trophy and gave her a congratulatory hug. Emily clutched the prize to her chest and turned for a picture with her coach, waving to daddy and all of us. I’ve never seen a happier child than Emily was in that moment. She came over to me, showed me her very first trophy and then she sat down on the floor and simply stared at it for the longest time. Her brother Joshua was right behind her, and he proudly displayed his trophy for all of us to see. There is something very special in the joy we feel when we learn something new, and complete the task that is before us.
Jesus knew He was about to complete the mission He had come for. How He loves His people, the ones He came to save! He knew that through His name, all who call upon Him would be protected; saved from the evil that surrounds them daily. He is their safety net, the one they would long for as they look to Him for guidance and direction each day.
One day, we will carry our life’s trophies to the throne of grace. The things that we’ve worked so hard to accomplish will be placed at the Master’s feet. For we know that our goals and the sense of accomplishment we feel is culminated only in Him. Everything that we are and all that we have belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. He keeps us safe and secure, as we run toward the goal and finish the season together, as one team.
I pray that we will learn how to become one body in Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO
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