Monday's Daily Devotion (catching up a bit)

Advent Conspiracy Daily Devotion
Monday, December 22, 2008
by Pastor Rick Snyder

Scripture: John 4

During Advent, we are seeking to live a more Christ-centered life, a life that is, in fact, counter-cultural, very different from what our culture teaches. We seek to Worship Authentically, to see worship as a lifestyle not a weekly "obligation." We seek to Spend Less, to live a life governed by compassion, not consumption. We seek to Give Wisely, evaluating what gifts will make the most lasting impact – such as the gifts of time, listening, attention, and assistance for the poor. And we seek to Love All, to expand our horizons, looking for those on the margins, who are cut off from the blessings that we take for granted.

Worship is where the Christ-centered life begins. As we offer God praise, we remember that we aren’t the center of the universe. As we offer confession, we repent of the ways we contribute to our world’s brokenness. As we humbly listen for God’s word, we receive our marching orders for how we are to live. As we pray for others, we more fully enter into their joys and sorrows. When we offer our tithes and offerings, we also offer ourselves, for we are the offering God desires the most.

Then in the sacrament of communion, we see a vision of what the world is to be like – a place of inclusion, oneness, shalom, and sharing – with Christ at the center. Our hope is that the worship service leads to a lifestyle of worship, which in turn leads to this vision of communion being fulfilled. So each day may we worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).