Thursday, February 8, 2007

Today’s reading

1 John 1:1-4

“We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands concerning the word of life—this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and his son Jesus Christ. We are writing this that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:1-4).

Prayer

Timeless Mercy, we are more connected with you than we can know. Our joy, our delight, the completion of our lives—your life and ours—are not two things but one. Your own divine life is not fulfilled unless the joy for which we are created overflows our souls, even as your heart bubbles over and flows in a living stream of life and love through all creation.

You tie the completion of your divine life to us, to me. And you dwell in holy unrest until the fullness of life and joy you intend fills and lifts me to the fullness of life that is your joy to share. Failing this, neither you nor I know the completeness that is you divine desire and intention for all that is.

You live dangerously, my Lord, my Friend, for in loving me, you need me, even as I need you. Yet, again and again I flee the joy of fellowship with you and yours, pouring my anxious heart into the crush of daily duties and myriad detail in which I lose myself, my heart—and you. My words lose weight and wisdom. I grow soulless, restless, joyless.

And I hunger for what you love to give—the eternal splendor of your own life. That hunger haunts me today. But even this dis-ease is gift and joy. I name the hunger and a strange thing happens. The tattered fellowship between us suddenly grows rich and full, as if the hunger in my depths is not my yearning but your divine life, pulsing at that unsearchable point where you heart and mine are not two, but one.

This oneness, this sharing of life is my highest joy, the secret hiding behind my smile. In fellowship with you, I am alive in a way I am nowhere else. Thank you. Let me live with you today so that our joy may be complete. Amen.

--Pastor David L. Miller