The Upper Room 3 January 2024 Devotional
The Upper Room 3 January 2024 Devotional, Wednesday Message by Linda Coggin (British Columbia, Canada)
TOPIC: Sense of Purpose
TODAY’S READING
1 Thessalonians 5:12-23
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSVUE)
I didn’t intend to retire, but I lost my job at 64. Then we moved because my husband changed jobs. Shortly after our relocation, I was able to take two extended trips to be with a family member in crisis and later to welcome my new grandson. These would not have been possible had I started a new job. But I missed the sense of purpose and the structure that my profession had provided, and I wasn’t sure how to fill my days. I realized that I could keep mourning what I had lost or choose to actively nurture a new sense of purpose for my life.
We choose each day how to live out our discipleship. I do not believe there are days when nothing important happens. Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians of God’s will for our lives: We are to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. But such simple directives are impossible to follow when we focus on what is wrong rather than what is right.
I now choose to begin and end my day in prayerful reflection, paying attention to the goodness of God that surrounds me. I review the day with gratitude — even the parts that were difficult — and deliberately name the joys. When I choose to rejoice, pray, and give thanks, I can see beyond my circumstances, and my heart is oriented toward God’s purpose.
TODAY’S PRAYER
O God, we pray that our words and actions will reflect gratitude for your presence and provision on this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
My faith in God gives my life purpose.
PRAYER FOCUS
Those trying to find their purpose
The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.
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