Saving the Date

What is the work of our life?

In today's reading, Jesus is asked whether a man was born blind because of the sins of his parents.  Jesus tells them no one sinned to cause the blind birth.

Instead, he offers that the man is blind to show God's works in him.

That's a hard thing to accept, isn't it?  It sounds a bit too manipulative of God, doesn't it?

But Jesus goes on.  He makes a reference to the work of our lives.

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.  - John 9:4

Once we are done with this life, no more work can be done.  

As obvious as that may sound, there is a message here we should not ignore.  Are we doing the works God has prepared for us to do?

Or put another way, what work do we find on our journey that we take the opportunity to do, and what do we pass up?

We can look at each day as simply another step on our journey, or we can see it the way Jesus describes it as a mini lifetime.

If this day is all I have, what am I to do with it?

Much of my life is scheduled.  I am always saving dates for future work and I check my calendar often to look ahead to see what I need to be ready for days in advance.  

I would guess that I am not much different from you in that regard.

But if I look back at the lifetime that was yesterday, what do I see?  Do I see a life lived performing good works?

Or did I manage to make it through that day without letting God's Spirit guide me to help another, to heal another, to comfort someone who is sick, to make peace with someone, to feed the hungry or clothe the naked?

If I hold my day up to a higher standard, what do I see?

While such a strict discipline of requiring daily works is difficult to achieve, I might be able to keep the thought alive and be more open to opportunities if I end each day with a prayer about it.

Dear Lord, thank you for this day that you have given me, keep me safe throughout this night and let me awaken in the morning with a new sense of your purpose for me in this life.  Show me your presence in each encounter, so that I might see the opportunity to do your work and be the reflection of your grace, through Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.

More to come...

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