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In the Light of the New Day
DAILY REFLECTIONS on FINDING YOUR PURPOSE
IN THE LIGHT OF THE NEW DAY
DAILY REFLECTIONS ON FINDING YOUR PURPOSE
Copyright © 2019 by Abingdon Press
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission can be addressed to Permissions, The United Methodist Publishing House, 2222 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN, 37228-1306 or emailed to [email protected].
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been requested
ISBN-13: 978-1-5018-8112-1
Scripture quotations are taken from the Common English Bible, copyright 2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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PRINTED IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
It’s a Good Thing You’re Here!
We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
—Romans 8:28
After the Potter created, he threw away the mold. You were perfect for what he designed you for and exactly what he wanted. He knew what you could do and looked forward to seeing you in action. You were created for a unique purpose.
John Henry Newman shed light on this idea when he wrote the following: “Everyone who breathes, high and low, educated and ignorant, young and old, man and woman, has a mission, has a work. We are not sent into this world for nothing. . . . God sees every one of us; He creates every soul . . . for a purpose.”
He did not intend for you to wander aimlessly through life. You have a purpose every day. You have a reason for being that is bigger than your own set of goals. It’s the mission you were sent here to do, and before you’re beamed back up to God, you will strive to get it accomplished. He knows the distractions that will take you off the path, the trial and error that you’ll go through. The thing is, he’s always aware of you, always doing what he can to keep you pointed in the right direction. He supports the work you do to fulfill the purpose for which you were born. Give him thanks and praise today.
Fulfill the purpose—your mission—for which you were called, as someone who loves God.
RENEWED FOR A PURPOSE
Lord, I have a sense of mission even though I don’t always know what it is I’m supposed to do. Please keep working with me, helping me discover the path that will accomplish the goal for you. Amen.
A Divine Appointment
God promised this good news about his Son ahead of time through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. His Son was descended from David. . . . This Son is Jesus Christ our LORD. Through him we have received God’s grace and our appointment to be apostles.
—Romans 1:2-5
Take a look at your business card. Is there anything that indicates who you really are? Does it mention your status at work, your mission, the reason you’re here? If it doesn’t you might wonder why. You are here by divine appointment to do the work of God. You have only one real boss. You have only one job to complete before you go on to your next assignment. No matter where you live, where you work, what title you list on your card, you have one real job—to do the will of God.
When did you sign up? You signed up the day you declared that Jesus was your Savior, the day you realized that the Son of God had the power to change your life. It was the best news you had ever heard. He signed the contract with you, offering to mentor you and train you for the job.
As you start your work today, stop to check in with your boss. Make sure you understand all the messages in your inbox so you can make a difference. You’re the one he named to get the job done, and he’s very proud of you. It’s going to be a great day.
Pursue the job for which you signed up: to do the will of God.
RENEWED FOR A PURPOSE
Lord, thank you for hiring me to do the job you have in mind for me. Help me do the work you’ve assigned me with great love and integrity. Bless my work today in you. Amen.
The Light and the Promise
Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey. I have sworn, and I fully mean it: I will keep your righteous rules.
—Psalm 119:105-106
Did you ever find yourself in a situation where you felt utterly alone and in the dark? You were uncertain about the next steps, and you wondered if you would end up in dismal failure or even if you might die? It’s possible in that kind of situation that you might call out to God for help, asking him to light your path and guide your next steps.
Along with that request is perhaps your bargaining position, your promise that if God does what you ask of him, you’ll do something in return for him.
This psalm causes us to consider two important things. One is that you may encounter darkness at any time. You may find yourself holding on for dear life, gasping for fresh air. You may need more light for the journey at any time.
Once you’re relaxed again, you need to be mindful of what happens to your thinking, what happens to your promises. You’ve been given a precious guide for all that happens to you through God’s word, an opportunity to rest and smooth out the bumps life brings. When you rest in him, you also refuel and refresh yourself in a way that strengthens your path and allows you to carry on his work and fulfill your promises to him.
Let