Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones
www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/pray/daily-reading-10-december
Something to read
The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
– Psalm 146:7b-9 (NIV).
Something to think about
In a bid to organise our household, I recently bought a shared weekly diary that lives on the fridge. The idea is that if I need to know what another member of my family is up to one day, which evenings are likely to busy, and when the house needs to be tidy enough for visitors, I can look at the fridge and there find everyone’s movements. Of course, the efficiency of that system depends on us all getting the information written up, which is still a work in progress!
A popular description of Christian work, attributed to former Archbishop (and Chair of Christian Aid) Rowan Williams, implores us to ‘find out what God is doing, and join in’. But without a magnetic diary for God’s week, how can we discover what is on the divine ‘to do’ list?
Fortunately, passages of Scripture like this one tell us, not just what God is up to today, but what God is always doing and always will be. The work of God is primarily among those who are overlooked or actively endangered by others, those whose flourishing has been restricted. By frustrating unjust schemes, and tearing away the chains of poverty, God works day by day to transform the opportunities of those who need it most. We have an open invitation to join in.
Something to do
Using Psalm 146, or other passages of Scripture that come to mind, create your own version of God’s ‘To Do’ list. Make it as visually creative and eye-catching as you like and stick it on the fridge , calendar, or wherever you keep your own lists as a reminder of what God is up to.
Something to pray
God of action, thank you that are faithful in your character and consistent in your work. Please motivate me today to roll up my sleeves and join in, labouring alongside all who are seeking positive change and transformation. Amen.