Counting on the Father
We spend a great deal of time counting on routines to provide a source of stability in our lives. The need for a foundation that does not change is especially true in our spiritual lives. The effects of the COVID-19 disease has shaken our routines and traditions. It is not easy to not have Bible studies, and to not meet with one another for church or small groups. We so need our fellowship and connections.
Many churches are turning to the internet to provide streaming worship experiences for their congregations. Others are counting upon devotional and study websites to help provide the need for spiritual nourishment. Many turned to our devotions between Lent and Easter to fulfill some of those cravings. If these thoughts help you feel that connection, while at the same time encouraging and challenging you to consider passages of Scripture – to “growl” and wrangle with the Word, I am incredibly honored and humbled to provide a context in which that can happen.
In order to follow the commands and patterns of the Old Testament Law, Jesus and the disciples would have “counted the Omer” – counting the days each year, marking off the time from the Passover to the Shavuot. Shavuot was a celebration of harvest, and commemorated the giving of the Torah – the Law – to Moses at Mt. Sinai. In Greek times, the day became known as Pentecost which we consider the beginning of the church (Acts 2:1-3 HCSB).
counting what’s important
So let’s begin to count. We count things all the time – how many days til vacation, how many pieces of candy were in my Easter basket. My wife Beth used to teach first grade. Every year they had a “100th day of school” where they counted hundreds of many things they could bring to class. Each week we will count different things together. We will wander through a passage of Scripture as we try to determine the things that God would be counting as important.
Remember, if you are counting the Omer along with the Jews, you might notice their day is a little different than ours. The Jewish “day” starts at sunset, so day three started Saturday evening at sunset. Do you remember from Genesis – an evening and a morning, the first day?
On the menu on the left, you will be able to access the devotions from the past. On the front page containing the posts, you will find the posts of the current week. Each Saturday posts from the previous week will be archived.
Let’s begin counting – and let’s rely on the Father for blessing and challenge.
