DAY 24 | HOLY PURSUITS

centering thought

“When we neglect to slot the imitation of Jesus as our top priority, when we opt for approaching life as a solo endeavor instead of focusing on being united, or when we dismiss the concept of ‘hope’ as idealistic and futile, we leave critical and divine pursuits undone that God longs for us to do ...”

encouragement from God’s word 

Read: MATTHEW 25.31-40

devotional direction

Part of our nature is to care for others, and yet so often, the busyness of life eclipses our noblest desires, leaving us worn out and out of time. We want to invest our lives for good and for God, but when, exactly, is that supposed to occur? So many other priorities … so many other obligations … so many other to-do’s … there’s just only so much energy in a day.

We find in this passage from Matthew a certain recalibration of our involvements and goals. It’s as if God himself, through the words of Matthew, reminds us that in the end, it is how we have cared for each other that will matter most to him. So much so that he elevates each recipient of our practical care to the person of Jesus Christ. When we engage another in conversation, we are engaging the person of Christ. When we enfold another in community, we are enfolding the person of Christ. When we extend a helpful hand to another, we are helping the person of Christ. When we feed and clothe another, we are feeding and clothing Christ. 

Can serving the One who laid down his very life ever register as inconvenient to us? When all whom we serve point us back to our Savior, serving becomes a joyous act. 

question to ponder

What is one action you can take to “feed” and “clothe” and “care for” Christ today?