Archives for January 24, 2016

Devotion

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.

All praise to thee, who safe hast kept
and hast refreshed me while I slept.
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless light partake.

Lord, I my vows to thee renew.
Disperse my sins as morning dew;
guard my first springs of thought and will;
and with thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say,
that all my pow'rs, with all their might,
in thy sole glory may unite.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heav'nly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Growing up on a South Dakota farm was an exercise in teamwork. Every family member, even children, had tasks to cover all the bases. Some tasks were part of the daily routine—feeding chickens, gathering eggs or fetching and milking cows. As soon as we could balance on a one-peg stool and hold a small milk pail between our legs we were introduced to the milking barn and appointed "before breakfast" and "after supper" duties. Other tasks were seasonal—walking corn rows to hoe out cockleburs, driving tractor for the binder which cut the ripe grain or pulling grain wagons to and from the threshing machine. Our parents directed and supervised, introducing us to new responsibilities as we grew older. They directed and supervised our work.

God's family needs teamwork too. The Holy Spirit gives us abilities, inspires their use, and directs us, often to leave lesser duties for the sake of more urgent tasks—visiting a sick or grieving neighbor or writing a note of encouragement. Maybe there’s a family with a sick mother needing a meal. Or maybe you should say "yes" to that invitation to chair the evangelism committee.