East Heights Daily Devotional
Friday, January 8, 2010
Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age…Abraham gave him the name Isaac.
Now Sara said, ‘God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.’
I have been sharing some reflections this week around the subject of birth. No doubt my choice of subject matter was selected because I began the writing task on my birthday. As I look back across my life, I often feel the need to thank God for the gifts of life and health. So this whole week has been my opportunity to express thanksgiving for both.
But on this final day, I am drawn to this passage which tells of the great joy that came to Abraham and Sarah at the time of the birth of their long awaited child - Isaac. They had waited a life time, but at last, as this passage reveals, they received the promised gift of God, in a son.
As a parent myself, I can truly testify that there is no greater joy then the arrival of a child. God has blessed me four times, as I have been privileged to be a father to three sons and a daughter. But the truth is, this gift goes beyond simply childbearing. It is the goal of any and all of us, to be able to pass on life, wisdom and faith to succeeding generations. As Christians, we soon learn that as quickly as we come to faith in Christ and become a disciple, we are mandated to pass this great legacy on to others, including the generations that follow us. So whenever we see a person of any age, we are in fact called to the great joy of passing on the legacy of our lives. Every disciple is called to become a spiritual parent, who will celebrate the “new birth” of the children of God.
Prayer: Dear God of all life and blessing, as we praise you for the gifts of life, we acknowledge first and foremost our call to pass onward the very gifts that have blessed us. May they bring life and hope to all your children in every generation of your holy family. Amen.
Devotions this week are written by:
Rev Charles Claycomb
Executive Pastor, East Heights United Methodist Church
charles@ehumc.org / 682-6518
www.ehumc.org
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