Tuesday, 30 December, 2003

This series of devotions are focused around Soren Kierkegaard’s “Christian Discourses etc.” The biblical text to consider during these devotions is: Matthew 6:24-34.



The Christian has not this anxiety of abundance. Is then the Christian poor? Certainly there are Christians who are poor; but about that we are not talking here, we are talking about the rich Christian who has riches and abundance, and we are saying that nevertheless s/he has not anxiety. For when one in abundance is without the anxiety of it…through ignorance, s/he is either a bird, or (in case s/he is human and yet like a bird) s/he is a Christian.



Rather than escalating upward - to have more and more - we are invited to rest within enough. This is not simply a matter of money or that which we are able to accumulate. There is also an anxiety about being more…in the sense of position or status. This is not to say that a person should not strive to use one’s gifts and by that rise to another level of expertise or community. Rather, it again has to do with the anxiety we place upon ourselves when we long to be something other than what we are…or to be in a place other than the place in which we stand right now. For when we long to be other than what we are…what a hell of a place is that! I would bet we have all see the discontent of those who long to be elsewhere…or those whose lives are being ruined because they, in a mad rush to be someone or someplace other greater than where they are, have bitten off more than they are able to handle…or more than is needed to satisfy and make them whole. Our abundance can be a place of freedom and joy and need not be a place of anxious preoccupation with where we will be next.



Connection: As you look out over this New Year and begin by looking out over today, know that our God will provide and we are to engage our world with the gifts we have as though we are a part of what brings enough into this day in the name of our God.



Lord of New Life, challenge us in this day by the many gifts you give to us. Help us to see that by your grace we are made to be participants in the wonders that unfold all around us each day. Give us eyes to see the fullness of your Reign as we enter it today. Amen.