Scripture

Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Thoughts

I’ve been thinking about the Tuesdays when my work small group met. The joy of answered prayers, the Spirit-led insights, and the comfort of familiar, kind faces. The holding of hands while praying struck me as the most precious, and most God-given. Connecting with God through holding hands is Jesus-like in its profound simplicity. That is God’s plan: perpetuating the touch from Him to us through our connections with each other.

 

Touch for me is the most essential part of Jesus’ ministry. It was a natural progression from the life-giving touch of God to Adam as imagined by Michelangelo. Whether Jesus was healing a leper, healing a woman who touched his robe, or the little girl who he brought back to life, they all demonstrate how Jesus is the ultimate part of God’s plan. The divinity of Jesus bridges the gap between us and God, redeeming our bodies and renewing our relationships with him. It can be especially difficult now, a few days before Christmas, to comprehend that we were meant to be companions to the Father, when everyone seems to be separated from each other and from our creator. In spite of all our fallenness since the Garden, our creator, our heavenly Father, draws us day after day to join him in the relationship we once had with Him. Each day he provides opportunities to sustain us and invigorate our relationship with him. 

 

Reflection

Where do you have the opportunity to touch someone–literally and figuratively? With words of genuine greeting, compassion, and warmth? Shaking a person’s hand who you haven’t seen in a long time or better yet, giving them a hug? 

How can this become a habit for you, and allow the Holy Spirit to soften your heart as you share the love of God with others?

 

Personal Prayer

Father, open my eyes to your plan for me. Help me stay on your path, help me cherish your words above anyone else’s, especially my own. May my thoughts and words to you be filled with praise, for you give me a new morning each day, with new plans that are beyond my comprehension. Help me to follow your path, trusting you will lead and guide me.

 

Shared Prayer Focus

Please pray that the hate, anger, frustration, pain, and all the corrupted-ness of this world would be overcome by His love, by His touch to our hearts and minds, through the Holy Spirit and through each other.

 

Prayer Requests & Praise Reports

No matter how small, please reply with a praise report, and send any and all prayer needs! And have a very warm, Jesus-drenched Christmas!