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Meditation 11: Joshua 24

8/25/2009 8:02:37 PM

Joshua 24: 1-2, 11-28

[Joshua said] “...revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness...” (v. 14a)

The people of Israel are gathered for a time of decision making. After recalling everything God has done for them, Joshua asks them to decide who they will serve, remembering the way God has been in the midst of them, guiding and bringing life.

Our own personal stories are a continuation of the one long story of humankind, recounting the love and faithfulness of the God who will not give up on us. Sometimes it is only after we look back that we can see how God was at work, whether or not we knew it at the time, whether or not the circumstances were good or bad. We look back and recount the deeds of this amazing God, which is another way of saying we look back and realize that God has been with us all along.

Because we belong to the God whose compassion is greater than anything in this life, surely this must mean something to us. Surely it matters that whatever we do or however we fail, God is present in our lives and in this world, filling our hearts with compassion, surrounding us with love and light.

This is the reality we carry into the ordinary living of our days. Because God is compassion, we can live with a peace and joy that depends not on us getting ‘it’ (life) right, but on the presence of God that permeates life, making it good and full of grace and purpose.

My heart overflows with gratitude for you, my God. I live this day within the walls of your compassion.