Monday, June 15, 2009
DC 09 Tour - Devotions for June 15, 2009
The Heart’s Offering
As I rise with the dawn, may my soul be reborn;
Take this heart all forlorn, and refresh me in the morn.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
In the warmth of the day I consider thy way.
May thy love ever stay in my heart, O Lord, I pray.
In the still of the night, as I think on the light
In my heart burning bright, keep me precious in thy sight.
God of each living thing, bless the gift that we bring.
Take our hearts’ offering while in joyful praise we sing.
Romans 12: 1-2
American Idol – In or Out? Vegetarians – In or Out? Body Piercing – In or Out? Jessica Biel – In or Out? Shia Lebeouf – In or Out? Light Stone Khaki Pants, Brown Belts and Tucked-in Red Sport Shirts – In or Out?
From the first breath we take in this world we begin to be influenced by other people. Babies learn to talk by imitating mouth movements they see and sounds they hear from their parents. Children develop heroes and heroines who they want to be like so they dress up like them at Halloween. Teenagers form groups of like-minded and like-accessorized friends. Adults make financial decisions based on the expectations of those in their socio-economic class.
Some of this cultural influence is good, even necessary. Much of it, though, causes people to not think for themselves. Most people are passionate about whatever the latest sports craze is or whatever everybody else is watching on television or listening to on their Ipod. They make decisions based on what they think the world around them values. They are not just influenced, but totally instructed by other people. You know sheep are like that. They are so dumb that entire herds have been known to jump to their death by following one wandering member of their flock who accidentally falls over a cliff.
Conforming to the world is a big temptation. It is easier to just blend in or to believe whatever someone tells us. It would have probably been easier to not have made the sacrifices you have made to come on this tour. All this last year you could have just slept more on Sunday evenings at 5:00 or gone to the movies with friends or played an extra game of hoops. Going to choir at church- In or Out? Something made you decide that being a part of Youth Choir is In! Something makes you come to church. Even though the majority of teenagers in Buncombe County are not involved in a church youth group, you are. Why are you on this trip?
We are a part of this choir and on this trip because our hearts have been touched by the Spirit of God. We feel it when we sing, when we worship and pray, when we do something for others. Our heart’s offering this week is our time and talent. Instead of letting others wrongfully influence us, we are trying to influence them with the beauty, truth and grace of God. We are singing so that our hearts will continue to burn bright.
Ask God to show you this week who you are and what you want to be passionate about. Ask God to bless those who will hear us sing and to inspire all of our hearts to be conformed to the Spirit’s leading everyday.
Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth
