WATCHWORD:
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples. John 15:5-8
Meditation:
Is God in My Pumpkin?
Let us begin with prayer — Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on our lives. You have provided us with more than we could ever imagine. You have surrounded each of us with people who care. You have given us family and friends who bless us every day with kind words and actions. They lift us up in ways that keep our eyes focused on you, Lord, and make our spirits soar. Thank you, Lord. In your name, Amen.
Stan Ott is a long-time Presbyterian pastor who has seen the church through transformational eyes and theology. Years ago, I attended a conference where Stan was one of the speakers, he told a little story about a time, during the Halloween season, when his three-year-old daughter interrupted his early morning meditation time with a ‘why’ question. He invited his daughter onto his lap, and explained to her that she would need to be quiet, but she could talk to God if she liked. The child remained in thoughtful silence for a time, then whispered, “Is God here?” Yes, Stan replied, God is here. Then after a period of silence, she whispered, “Is God everywhere?” Yes, God is everywhere. Another a period of silence, then she whispered again, “Is God in my pumpkin”. Trying to keep a straight face, Stan replied, Yes, God is in your pumpkin. To which his daughter replied, “Why is God in my pumpkin?”
The innocence and wisdom of a child. Going straight for the facts, trying hard to understand. We all have ‘Whys’ that we are trying to understand. Trying to sort out where we are, where we are going, how long will this last?
We may think we are seeking answers to more profound questions than “Is God in my pumpkin”, but do we? I was reading a devotional by Oswald Chambers where he asks a ‘is God in my pumpkin’ question: “Am I fulfilling this ministry of intercession within the hidden recesses of my life?” Not a three-year-old’s question, to be sure, but no less sincere, and at the heart of it, it is the same question. How would Stan Ott answer that one? How would you answer it?
The ministry of intercession? What is that? How deep and sincere are our prayers and our interactions with others? Do we take the time to support them? Where is Christ in all of that? Is Jesus more and more dominating each and every interest in our lives?
Here’s the observation that Chambers makes: If the central point, or the most powerful influence of my life is the death and resurrection of our Lord, then, every aspect of my life will bear fruit for Him.
Jesus speaks of ‘abiding’ in Him. Which means if you continue to act, and think, and work from that central point of abiding in Him, and He in me, then, ‘you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you’.
Chambers closes his meditation with this: “The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and what appears to be his free choices are actually God’s foreordained decrees. Is this mysterious? Does it appear to contradict sound logic or seem totally absurd? Yes, but what a glorious truth it is to be a saint.”
How about you? With all the blessings that God provides, where is God in all you do? Is God in your pumpkin? Amen
Irish Grins for the Day:
Reilly went to trial for armed robbery. The jury foreman came out and announced, “Not guilty.” Reilly shouted, “That’s grand, does that mean I can keep the money?” (There has got to be a theological and moral message buried there.)
Closing Prayer:
Gracious Father, as we begin a new day, help us to engage your will with a reckless faith. Teach us to trust in you, and help us grow in righteousness. Heavenly Lord, give us the courage to step out in faith this day. Fill our hearts with your spirit, and let us speak your words with pride. With gratitude and joy we offer this prayer in the Name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
