Not the Way It's Supposed to Be - February 8, 2010

Daily Reading

Exodus 28-29

Daily Verse

"For the generations to come

this burnt offering is to be made regularly

at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD.

There I will meet you and speak to you;

there also I will meet with the Israelites,

and the place will be consecrated by my glory."

Exodus 29:42-43

Daily Thought

Cornelius Plantigna wrote a book about sin. He called it Not the Way It's Supposed to Be.

He describes a scene in the movie Grand Canyon, where a tow-truck driver doing his job must fend off five hoods in the bad part of town. "Man," says the driver, "the world ain't supposed to work like this. Maybe you don't know that, but this ain't the way it's supposed to be. I'm supposed to be able to do my job without askin' you if I can. And that dude is supposed to be able to wait with his car without you rippin' him off. Everything's supposed to be different than what it is here."

We become so accustomed to the way things are, we need reminders that there is something better.

The Hebrews sacrificed daily offerings to God, which God describes as a pleasing aroma, an aroma that filled the air, reminding all that this life is not the way it's supposed to be.

That was then. This is now.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

--Romans 12:1-2

To follow Jesus is to be that pleasing aroma to God, a reminder that this life is not the way it's supposed to be.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

God of heaven and earth, You are wonderful, marvelous. You fill creation with Your glory. It is beyond spectacular. The use of the word awesome would be rightly reserved for You and Your works.

God, made in Your image, should we reflect Your glory? Of course! Should others see us and praise You? Absolutely. Forgive us, then, because we fall short. Teach us to walk in Your ways, so others will see the way to You.

Amen