Friday, October 12

Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 62 & 138; Micah 5:1-4, 10-15; Luke 17:11-19; Romans 5:12-21

As the church calendar year continues drawing us toward the onset of Advent on December 2, the words of the prophets in our lectionary readings begin to take on added significance each day. Today’s lectionary reading from Micah is a good example of this. That’s because it points us toward the one who “will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth” (Micah 5:4). The piece of the passage that most caught my attention this morning, however, was the verse that came just two verses before this. Micah 5:2 reads: “But you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” This verse reminds me once again that God’s ways are not our ways – that great things often come from the smallest, most unlikely of places. This morning, I invite you to explore your own life and look for those small, seemingly insignificant areas where God is breaking forth in new and unexpected ways. For while there may still be 73 shopping days until Christmas, it’s never too soon to begin giving thanks for the arrival of God’s grace and love within your own life. Til next time…