Daily Gospel Reflection for November 23, 2016

Today's Gospel: Luke 21, 19-21

Well, I don’t know about you, but this Gospel gives me chills. I don’t like reading it. And the more I think about it, I’m sure that it’s because I enjoy the feeling of comfort.

“It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand.”

Seems a bit of a hard hand with hardly any comfort:

Jesus: OK, you’re going to court over me.
Me: Um, right, about that. Which lawyer do you want me to use?
Jesus: It’s fine, I got you covered.
Me: But they have hounds sniffing for my blood!
Jesus: Seriously. You’ll wing it fine. I’ll be there.
Me: …

I want to trust Jesus but when push comes to shove, it scares the crap out of me. I think it scares me because, as I said before, I like the feeling of comfort.

I recently had a situation where a door slammed on my face (figuratively, not literally). I felt exposed, vulnerable and broken-hearted over it even though I knew God was calling me elsewhere. Even with that hope, I still had a hard time handing all of myself over to Jesus. And yet in doing so I knew I was paving the way for this mysterious testimony to which I have no defense prepared. Trusting is imperative to Jesus’ wisdom permeating us.
God is working in my life and yours, even when it’s so hard to see it. Trusting is what brings me to the other side without the guilt, regret, or negative nostalgia. Trusting is not a pretty process, but Jesus reminds us today that he’s got our backs and is filling us up with his Spirit.

Ponder:

Take a few minutes to write down three ways God has demonstrated his faithfulness to you. Bring these to prayer today saying, ‘Jesus, I trust in you.’

Pray:

When I’m in the midst of my vulnerability, Lord Jesus, may your Spirit fill me to the brim that I may bring you glory in my weakness.

Copyright 2016 Jane Korvemaker

Jane Korvemaker loves food, family, wine, and God (perhaps not in that order). She holds a Certificate in Culinary Arts, which pairs perfectly with her Bachelor in Theology. A former Coordinator of Youth Ministry, she writes from the beautiful and cold province of Saskatchewan, Canada. She works from home and takes care of her three very hard-working children. Jane regularly blogs at www.ajk2.ca.