Good Morning Friends,
We remember in Southwest Florida the hurricane seasons, even the ones in which we were spared a direct hit. And certainly, though I do like Florida Summers, I do not enjoy the thought of the next hurricane season going into extra innings following the trifecta of Debby, Helene and Milton which hit Florida during 2024. I like the comfort of things being neat and organized and exciting like a well-managed sporting event…not necessarily the College Football Playoffs though I do look forward to some of the games. It is the football season after all which is undoubtedly a religion for many. The thing is that this last year, without major Covid outbreaks and election uncertainty, it has been a little less anxious season. I wonder if we will find an abundance of wisdom in the coming year. I think it is helpful that we have a new full-time pastor where we worship at the Moorings Presbyterian Church setting a tone for us to trust the Lord. Thankfully now we are in the middle of the holiday and tourist season, and hurricanes seem removed from our anxiety as things settle into a more comfortable routine for the grey hairs in the congregation. There is still a bit of sadness in the shorter days of Winter but also an underlying joy that might be explained as we smile during the children chats during worship. Of course we have our grandchildren that keep our attention too. And I cannot help but think that their future depends on their relationships, personality, character, goals, vision, and willingness to work hard. But there are a couple of other elements that are important for family and the worshipping community too, and I would like to explore this as we end the year 2024 and as we contemplate the story of Anna and Simeon for those old folks in the Bible do so give us hope to have faith to still be worshipping in traditional ways that hopefully build up a better world.So, I wonder, What Are You Looking Forward To in 2025 That Will Live On?
Scripture: I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.
1 John 2:12-17 (NRSV)
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:36-40 (NRSV)
Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
Proverbs 3:13-18 (NRSV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV)
Message: Discovering one’s destiny means we gain an understanding of the spiritual seasons in our lives. And here living in a season of wisdom and wonder of God is indeed more profitable than silver and rubies. But we have to be willing to wait. Friends, wisdom is what we should be looking forward to, but it takes time. But also, we should be looking forward to the redeeming and true love of God so we might know the difference between worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom. Like Anna we need to be looking forward to God’s reign and be filled with wisdom. Like Solomon we need to realize that there is a time for things but that the hope is that Godly wisdom might never go out of season. You see Godly wisdom is demonstrated in our lives when we seek to follow God’s will and purpose for our life. When we live according to the commands and precepts of God. When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us. But, as we go through life, we discover that we are not always wise in the choices we make. Maybe we simply did what we thought was best, maybe we acted on impulse, or maybe we listened to ungodly advice from someone we knew. Humanly speaking there have probably been times in each of our lives when we have failed to fully follow the wisdom of God. But friends know this, Godly wisdom makes possible redemption when empowered by love. That is the season we hopefully all are looking forward to. Today’s scripture from Luke 2 is helpful here when you see the story unfold. Luke tells of Jesus being brought to the Temple to be presented to the Lord 40 days after His birth in fulfillment of the Law. Then the text takes an interesting twist. At such a momentous occasion, the time in which God’s very Son is being presented to Him at His Temple, the focus turns to two of God’s servants who are in their later years in life, Simeon and Anna. They are two people who lived lives with purpose and would be blessed by God with the privilege to see the Redeemer of Israel who would become the Redeemer of the World. They came to see Jesus, but it is them that the Lord calls for us to behold. Simeon and Anna are two people that were truly planted in the house of the Lord. And I hope there are such faithful people in the place where you worship. There are three simple points I would like to make about these two older servants of the Lord that helped them to be an example to us of what it means to live a life of fruitfulness and purpose: They waited on God. They worked for God. They worshiped God. In these three things, Simeon and Anna show us why it is that the Lord takes up more verses to talk about them than He does to talk about His Son who is being presented to Him.
And So, we are to seek the transformative wisdom of love. Seek the quality of the mind that is virtuously skilled in a success shared with a quality from above that forms creation itself and the structure to our lives to God’ glory with God. We are to be seeking and giving thanks for our Redeemer as Simeon and Anna did. These two old saints give us a great example of what it means to wait for the Lord, to trust His promises, and to serve Him and His people. We would do well to imitate their examples and to strive to in our older age to have faith like theirs. That is wisdom that will live on.
Pray that we develop the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding and faith. Pray we have reverence to God, and respect for other people. Pray we discover wisdom in trusted friends. Pray we discover wisdom in scripture. Pray that wisdom helps us in every season of life but most importantly the life that transforms. Pray that we wait for the Lord. Pray that we work with and for the Lord. Pray that we worship the Lord with gladness.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 