Passage of the Day:
He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. 20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets, Luke 6:17-23.
Reflection:
Rather than pursue a career in golf course design and maintenance, I chose to become a Summer Work Camp Coordinator for the Methodist Action Program and part-time youth director at Janes United Methodist Church. As I was hungering and thirsting after righteousness, things weren’t going as I had hoped and planned. I was broke, sleeping in the basement on my sister’s couch and my attempts to build two successful youth ministries was failing. This is when God introduced me to an organization called Tentmakers Youth Ministry. After reaching out and passing the interview process, I was accepted to become part of their 1993 Winter Trade School Class. A love offering from my home church, Cornerstone United Methodist, made this opportunity a reality.
Prayerful Action:
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty, ” John 6:35.
Retracing Your Steps:
When you take a leap of faith like I did back in 1993 and leave everyone you’ve ever known, it’s a huge transition. However, this Trade School was more like a Spiritual Bootcamp, from 7am in the morning to activities and homework each night. I became so entrenched into what I was doing that I didn’t have time to blink. I was stretched well beyond my comfort zone, forced to lead worship, gave daily talks, serve as an MC and talk to strangers each evening at local malls. At the end of this 40 day adventure, we spent a week at a wilderness camp, serving one another. The final day involved 24 hours of silence and meditation, reflecting upon where we are, what we’ve learned and where is God calling us to go following graduation. This is the most controlled and spiritual setting that I have ever experienced on earth where hungering and thirsting after God was a daily focus.
Song of the Day:
The attached song was one of my favorite songs as I became a full-time youth pastor. The lyrics of Fisher of Men detail what it means to hunger and thirst after righteousness. May today’s devotion inspire you to draw closer to the Lord in 2024.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 