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Today's Lenten Devotion
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The Beginning and the End
Then he said to me [John the seer], "It is done!
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end."
-- Revelation 21.6a (cf. Revelation 1.8)
The hymn, "I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" is one of my favorites because it speaks of the faithful presence of Jesus Christ in every stage of our lives, including His promise to be there at the end, "with just one more surprise".
There's certainly been no shortage of surprises for me so far. Although some of them turned my world upside down, Jesus always had another "better than I could imagine" surprise, waiting at the end of each chapter in the book that is my life. More than I deserve, better than I could imagine, I've learned that His surprises are worth waiting for, if we can muster the faith and patience while the next chapter is being written.
For a time, I branched off and tried writing some of the chapters alone, using Jesus as a "consultant" when I got into trouble, but we won’t go into that. I'm sure you would find those chapters predictable and boring, at times even pathetic. In fact, not until I invited Jesus back as my co-author did this little book have any hope of being of much interest or impact to anyone. Now, there's another surprise! Once again, He's helping me write every line, after I "laid Him off" for chapters at a time. More than I deserve, better than I could imagine!
Every day, I'm also learning that the Alpha and the Omega is larger than the co-author of my little book. He is the author of the universe, and my little book of surprises is part of a much, much larger story. I’m learning that every line I write today has an impact (or not) on every other life story being written today ... and all the yet unwritten lives to come. Surprise! It’s not just about me. Jesus, as the Alpha and Omega, stretches the imagination beyond its limitations.
Lately, we're working on writing pages with more impact. He is helping me to see the rest of the world through His eyes, and there are more surprises each time I look at the world… and not all good ones. It's slow going, but we're making progress. In this new chapter, we're adding new characters and new settings: poor people and sad places I'm not quite familiar with yet (though He tells me I am connected to them). That's when He puts the pen back in my hand to work on the next line. "You can do it. I’ll be right here with you", He says. "Now, write."
Father Almighty, Who formed the universe and who formed me in my mother's womb,
In the coming days, as I journey with your Son to the foot of the cross, with already more than I deserve, keep my heart focused on your great Easter surprise. Inspire me with your Holy Spirit and nudge me, if need be, to share more of your Son with the world in every line of my life, so that others may also know Him as the Alpha and Omega, and the One who came to make all things new. Amen.
Linda S. Magill
lindabythesea@yahoo.com
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