Maggie Smith, Senior M.Div. Student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Scripture
Matthew 24:45-51
45 "Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' 49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. 51 He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Devotional
Often we find ourselves so caught up in trying to make things easier for ourselves or faster or cheaper that many times we end up making life more difficult than if we just did it the right way.
What if doing things the way they were intended to be done is part of what makes the finished product so great? This text suggests that patiently waiting what is to come requires living into the kingdom of God today. In this Advent season we humble ourselves before God as we celebrate the event that changed everything. God came to give us life and life to the full, and so let us live like this. Let us live as if living is a means within itself and not a means to an end. This is where we will meet God and learn to wait patiently all that God has offered and continues to offer.
Prayer
God, you are the God of the present, not just of the past or the future. Help us to live into this life that you have created for us. Help us to see it the way you do—full of possibilities and hope and comfort. And help us to see you in the timely, detailed, and oftentimes difficult everyday tasks of life. Amen.