Daily Devotional for December 20, 2022

Because we livestream the 11:00 Traditional Worship Service, there is a light mounted at the sound booth that turns from yellow to green to let me know it’s time to start the service.

Sunday, at 12:01 p.m., I got a text message that was addressed to Chris, Allison, and me. It was a picture of a blue light that looked exactly like the light mounted at the sound booth.  Andrew had texted, “That’s the blue light that goes next to the green light…to indicate the start of a noon Cowboys kickoff.”

Chris responded, “Congratulations, you’re sure to be tomorrow’s devotional.”  He missed it by one day.

This got me thinking.

There are a million comedians out of work, and I’ve got a congregation full of them.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

While Andrew may want to be a comedian, I don’t think he should quit his day job.  There’s got to be more financial security in being an attorney versus being a comedian.  Having said that, if God’s call is for Andrew to go into showbusiness, I will buy a ticket to support his warped sense of humor because life must be about more than earning an income.  I wish more people understood this.

Years ago, I met an emergency room physician who absolutely hated his job.  His unhappiness impacted his family and being around him was a very unpleasant experience because he felt trapped.

I asked if he was so miserable, why didn’t he change professions.  He told me he made too much money to quit and one day, when he retired, he would follow his true passion.  It was an incredibly sad conversation.

I truly believe the sincere passions in our lives are God-inspired.  This is because God created each of us to be part of His beautiful mosaic to make this world a better place.

In explaining Jeremiah’s reason for being, God said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

God has a plan for your life too!

To follow God’s plan for your life is to be filled with a legitimate holy purpose that is about much more than a paycheck.

Don’t get me wrong, money is convenient.  But if money replaces God’s plan for your life, then expect to be unhappy, unfulfilled, and discontent.  Peace only comes by walking the path God designed for you.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, I want my life to be pleasing to you.  Guide me on your path, fill me with your purpose, and help me become the person you designed me to be.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

While many people make life too complex, it’s really simple.  Follow God’s plan and be blessed.  If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

Also, if you hear Andrew tell a joke, don’t laugh.  It will only encourage him to go down the wrong road.  And, just for the record, I noticed Andrew sent the text one minute after the worship service ended.  Clearly, he was texting during worship which means he wasn’t really paying attention to the greatest sermon preached in the history of sermons.  

I guess the best thing to do is go to Andrew’s office and preach the entire sermon again.  That’ll fix his wagon.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins