Daily Worship

Our broken work story

April 24, 2016 0 0

Acts 11:1-8

Peter Explains His Actions

1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticised him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was.6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

A journey from living in our story to living in God’s story.  From our work narrative to God’s work narrative.  From false self to true self*.
*Ref Richard Rohr, False self, True self.

Acts 11:1-8. Verse 2: They criticised him

We come to an end of ourselves, realising that our best efforts are not good enough. We have failed and despite our best efforts we cannot save  ourselves, it doesn’t work.

Maybe there is another way, a better way, a way that Jesus calls peace and the bible calls rest.

Prayer:

God of all mercy

If this is me, striving so hard to gain the approval of those who matter to me,
please open my mind and heart to hear and see differently.
Like Peter on the roof, help me to see a different perspective
and even this week, to stop long enough to let you speak to me.

Jesus,  I hear you say; “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  (Mt 11:28-30 the message)

Forgive me that I have worked hard thinking it would please you, and as you say, “I’m tired”.

Let me walk and keep company with you this week.

Amen