Today’s scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
We register our cars, we register to vote, we renew our driver’s license, we register to receive our social security number, we apply for apartment leases or home mortgages, we apply for jobs and for college, and the list goes on. It seems Emperor Augustus got us on a roll, didn’t he!
Can you imagine returning home every time you had to register or apply for something? I was born in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C., so that would be a journey every time I needed to register.
We even do this with God — or at least with church. We come down the aisle to accept Jesus, or we tell someone we’ve been saved, we’re baptized, we receive the piece of paper, and it is done. No more registration with God. Some of us repeat these processes, sometimes many times. But is it necessary to register with God only once? Or do we even need to register with God? Church membership may even be required on top of that! (Sorry, God.)
Think about this carefully. How often do you “register” with God? Going home does not need to be a journey back to Washington DC, or any other location. The journey back home might be as simple as a quiet time, spending time in God’s presence, letting God know how you are doing, listening for God’s voice, letting off some steam from the day, or making a joyful noise in thanksgiving and praise. Yes, we must go to the BMV and do the license and title and tag thing, and register to vote for the big election this November.
But when was the last time you registered with God?
Thought for the Day: What would it be like to register with God more routinely?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.