God’s Place for You

Sometime back as a part of my morning devotional time, I was reading Eugene Peterson’s Message version of the Bible. One morning I was struck by the following: In his introduction to the book of Joshua, he wrote, “God’s great love and purposes for us are worked out in the messes, storms and sins, blue skies, daily work, and dreams of our common lives, working with us as we are, and not as we should be.”

Then, later I was in 1 Corinthians 7. Peterson translates the verse this way: “And, don’t be wishing you were someplace else…Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.”

I thought about the context of my life right now, and I reflected on where I spend the vast majority of my time. Ever since that morning, sometimes when I pray the Lord’s prayer I add a few words, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done – in my life, in my relationship with my family, in my daily work, in the church, on Earth… as it is in heaven.

Let us pray: God of grace, thank you for working with us as we are – not as we should be. Thank you for your presence in our families, in our jobs, in our recreation, and in our relationships. Give us eyes to notice and hearts to respond. Wherever we find ourselves this day, may we be instruments of your grace. Amen.