Day 41 – Are you an “unsafe saint”?

Prayer for the week

Start you day with this prayer

Symbol: Shoe

 

Prayer

Lord, we have been aware for weeks that our freedom of movement has been restricted, and that we can only leave our homes for essential things and under the strictest regulations. Help us to remember that a restriction on physical movement does not mean a restriction of our discipleship. Show us how and where we can still wander in the Gospel – the Good News for all people. 

We pray for each essential worker during this time, and for each person who has the opportunity to work. We pray for each individual and each family who has been affected by income loss and have lost their jobs. We pray for everyone who feels uncertain and is scared about what the future has in store. 

We pray for president Cyril Ramaphosa, for all ministers and government leaders who need to show the way in this time. May You give them strength to work under tremendous pressure and still make informed and good decisions. Bless their families and loved ones who are supporting them. 

Thank You for remembering us. Thank You for continuing to support and encourage us. Thank You for creating hope in a time of chaos and uncertainty.

Amen.

Reflection

Read this reflection on the text for the day. 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” – Matthew 6:33-34.

To trust God fully and to leave tomorrow in his hands is not necessarily good news for believers who pride themselves on living in the “real world”. But, if you trust God with today and tomorrow, it can lead to a radically different lifestyle that is out of control, in tradisional church terms. It could lead to “unsafe saints” who do not fit in neatly designed and predictable church boxes.

Christians who truly live one day at a time follow “the barbarian way”, as Erwin McManus describes it in his book of the same title. They are people who live recklessly, passionately and energetically. For “Christian barbarians” there is no time to delay until tomorrow. They have a deep and built-in urgency in them. They have to get up, live, talk, think, dream, pray, sing, work, play, laugh, relax, witness, exercise, walk, drive, call, work on the internet, wait, visit, greet, say goodbye and sleep differently today!

“Christian barbarians” do not have the luxury to sit by a wailing wall and wait on clerical solutions for when the big revival arrives over the horison someday. Today is exactly the right day for big things, to live! Today is the only day. Today believers should think and live outside the box, no, on the other side of the box, with God. There is only one day to do this, and that is today. Tomorrow is already a day too late.

Lord, make me willing to be unsafe for the sake of my relationship with You. Let me become a Christian barbarian who grabs every day with passion to walk with You, also outside of my comfort zone. Also today. Amen.

Liturgy for life

See the ordinary things you do in and around the house as signs of God’s care.

This week: Clean your cupboards!

 

Why? Firstly it is a sign of gratitude for the abundance that you have received. Secondly, to share from your abundance with other people during this time. And lastly, to realize that you can simplify your life. As Elizabeth Ann Seton said: “Live simply so that others may simply live.”

How? Start with your wardrobe. Look at all the items you have and choose 10 usable items that you still use, but don’t use as often or don’t really need. Donate it to charity. When you are finished going through your wardrobe, look at your other cupboards. Are there any everyday items that you can give away, things that may not be affordable to others in this time? In our community we’re going to sell all these items for R20. Something has more worth when you contribute towards it. We want to make it as affordable as possible. 

What do we want to achieve? We want to help people to receive good, useful items at an affordable donation, while we journey to a deeper self-realisation of how blessed we are. We want to include the broader community by working with other churches, businesses, and the local government. 

Have a look at this video, and organize your cupboards this week:

Children’s activity

Play with your children.

Wow! 21 Days of isolation. 21 Days in which we’re only allowed to be in our homes (or gardens) and can only go out for the most essential things like food and medicine. It can be a little rough! All the things we usually do during the day, like school, sport, church … are not happening anymore. It can really confuse you and maybe even bore you a little. These daily readings will help you to spend some time with Jesus every day in a creative and fun way. You can do these readings and activities by yourself, with your siblings, or with your entire family. Ask one of the grownups to post your activity on Facebook so that others can enjoy it with you. Tag it with #solitudecalendar #churchtogether

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Imagine today is your last 24 hours on earth, what would you do? We do not have to be worried that today will be our last day, but we should still live every day to the fullest to honour Jesus’ Name. We shouldn’t delay or wait until tomorrow.

– How can you make God’s kingdom visible today?

– Is there something you would do differently if you knew today was your last day on earth?

Activity

 

Is there something that you have delayed for a long time? Maybe you can do that today.

There are 24 hours every day. Think of 24 words to describe Jesus. Here are two examples to get you started: Saviour and King.

Picture this

Look at this week’s illustration. 

Talk to the people in your home or with your friends on WhatsApp about the illustration. 

– What stands out to you? 

– Take note of the things you see, but also of the things that aren’t present in the illustration.

– What would you like to add?

– How does this illustration connect with today’s Scripture, and how not?

Create your own interpretation of the illustration through any medium: dance, photography, videography, music, poetry, drawing, painting or short stories. 

Record it and share it with us on social media with the hashtag #countdowndoodles