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The Show Is Not About Us
by Michael Scott, Johnson City, TN

Many of us seek to improve our spiritual lives on a daily basis either by reading devotionals, or by re-reading meaningful biblical passages.  Quiet minutes spent alone with God fill our unseen spirit tanks, making it possible to deal with the hassles and challenges of the day.  The price per gallon of spirit juice seems to decline the more we fill up, unlike the dead dinosaur juice currently draining our wallets.
 
     While looking at our new web site this week, I saw a link that announced:  “Submit devotion for FUMC”.  No one had done that yet.   Who would break the ice?
 
     Strategic planning at FUMC has now moved into the action phase, and it’s time for each of us to ponder our gifts and talents – where can we be most effective?  Like me, you’re probably “good” at many things, but not “great” at anything in particular, so it’s difficult to decide what to do.  My little brain gets so much pleasure out of abundance of what God has delivered:  nature, books, learning, reading, hiking, motorcycling, music, friends, ad infinitum.  It’s difficult to focus on a particular thing when His show is so consistently amazing, and limitless.

     That show is definitely not about us.  All we have to do is look to the heavens on a moonless night, gaze upon the Rocky Mountains bathed in a purple sunset, or attempt to sail a twenty-foot boat on the Atlantic to see we’re about as significant as ant dandruff clinging to a grain of sand.

    
 
    

But as the Christian writer Donald Miller says:  “The show is for us.”  Our brains can ponder, slightly comprehend, and somewhat appreciate what He’s delivered in the form of this Earth and this life.  As far as I know, no other life forms (on this planet) have that ability. 
 
   So out of this wondrous bounty, we have to choose.  We must focus, so why not give of the thing you love to do, even if it’s difficult?  For example, I love to write.  The first draft is usually fun and easy, kind of like cooking.  Cleaning up the mess, washing the dishes, is the “editing” part.  It’s work.  Those of you who supply the daily elbow grease for putting food on the table understand.  Nobody wants to scrape that dried gravy off the side of the bowl.  Everyone wants to eat. Penning a devotional is something I can offer, and learn from.  So I’ll do it.  Once a week, I’ll upload a piece to share.  Short and simple, much like Upper Room offerings – and I pray that when a significant event in your walk occurs – you’ll share it with all of us.
 
    Because it doesn’t matter whose barrel holds refreshing spirit water; we can all stand a drink.
 
***
Rev. 21:6
 
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.