CONSIDER YOUR WAYS

"Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways." Haggai 1:5

Let us now consider our ways. What are we doing with our life? Are our years well spent or a waste? Are we thankful for life ~ or thoughtless? Does our life reflect the glory of the Creator? But even more important, are we living all the possible dimentions of life? We share with all humanity an origin in the dust, and to that dust we shall return. But there is more to living than that. "I am come," Jesus said, "that they may might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

The gift of eternal life, which Christ came to give, begins here and now. It adds to life's meaning and purpose and courage and hope and peace. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me ~ the life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God. Only then am I really alive. Great is the possession of this life!

"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord." Lamentations 3:40

Why is it we often get bored? Each day seems to be a repeat of the previous one. We work, we eat, we sleep ~ we get up and do it over and over again ~ day in and day out. We get in a rut at times and life becomes boring and uninteresting to us. Well, this is a problem! Perhaps we need to take another look at our life-styles and ourselves. Is it possible that we forget why we are where we are? Have we forgotten that God wants us where we are because He has a special job for us to do? So when you're bored, forget yourself ~ turn to the Cross because there the full life was made possible ~ the Cross is the answer to life's boredom. It's vertical bar points us to God, and its horizontal bar points us to others.

Application: We are alive! And great is the possession of life ~ the first and most precious gift from God. To feel the sunshine warm on your skin or the coolness of the rain; to glory in a sunset or a smile of a loved one; to relax in utter weariness, to eat and drink and talk and laugh and even to cry ~ all of this is life ~ all this is God's gift to us. So consider your ways ~ God is considerate to us ALL WAYS!

Today's Devotion: "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." Titus 3:8

Heavenly Father, as we start each day with what seems to be a routine, please help to remind us of why we are here and help us to consider our ways. Lord, keep our faith focused on You always in all that we do. Empower us by Your Word and sacraments to live always for You. In Jesus' Precious Name we pray. Amen

God Bless You All as you consider the Cross.