Advent Instrumental – by Don Coppo
Saturday, Day 7: The With-God life
“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:4
Thought: Patterns of sin deform the With-God life. Have you noticed that Lectionary readings keep using John the Baptizer’s story to help us prepare for the with-God life? John calls us to repentance and forgiveness of sins. Sins plural… maybe we have sins that we commit over and over again. Can you name your sin patterns, basic un-freedoms, fears? The truth is we don’t usually start the day saying; “Today, I’m going to be judgmental, prideful, deceitful, envious, greedy, fearful, gluttonous, lustful or slothful”. What we do is we choose those things that we think we need and we have a pattern for getting the job done. Yes, we are born in the image and likeness of God but along the way have lost our likeness. How have you lost your likeness? Our sinful patterns are formed early in life. But when repenting and following Christ, He is born in us to re-form us in His likeness. The more I realize the sin patterns of my life the more I am aware of the depth of God’s love! Do not let shame and lies of the enemy of your soul keep you from this truth. I realize that the sins I have committed have a pattern. They disconnect my awareness that God is with me… to love me, transform me and empower me to live my best life.
The with-God life is the transformation story. The reason we even decide to sin is that we have believed the lie that God is not with me… God’s love is not enough to satisfy me! I run from God, I fill voids or create an image because I forget the freedom and love at Cross of Christ. I have un-love that keeps me from being held in the Love of God. My fears become sins, sins become patterns and patterns become un-freedoms… disconnections in my life with God… all resulting in deformation. When I realize the patterns of sin in my life, I recognize the places that are locked away from God. This knowing and confessing opens my life to transformation.
Practice: So now, sit with Jesus. Let his loving presence give you freedom. Talk to God about what you are hearing. Confess patterns that you are aware of… ask for God’s forgiveness. Journal or talk to a spiritual friend about what you resonate with or resist from today’s devotional.
Prayer: All Knowing and Loving God, you are fully aware of my patterns of sin and un-freedom…. You love me and are with me. I realize I am unaware of these patterns much of the time. Give me the grace to see any deformation of your likeness in my life. I will not accept any voices of blame or shame. I listen to truth in the presence of the one who loves me and gave Himself up for my freedom. I open my life to Your work of transformation. I prepare to see new ways of freedom from sin. Amen
©csloughrige2011
©Advent Music-By Don Coppo
Bluebook (Lectionary) reading: Mark 1:1-8