December 17: Isaiah 53:10 / Luke 22:41-42

In my youthful days, I spent much time agonizing over God’s will for my life. It was a constant focus of my prayers and I read countless books that were supposed to provide sharp, focused clarity to my questions. I felt like none of it really helped. The crystal-clear sign written in the sky never materialized.

As I have matured in my faith, I have come to the place of believing that God’s will for my life is less about taking the proper fork in the road, and more about making sure my life is spent in enacting God’s will for the human community and for all creation.

Jesus understood this deeply. From the time he began his ministry, he had in mind his destination: he was on his way to Jerusalem and the cross where he would accomplish God’s will for his life and for the world. His eagle-eyed determination to accomplish this mission was the prospering of God’s will, leading to the prosperous blossoming of a relationship with God offered to all of us. It’s what Jesus called life abundant (John 10).

As we mark these days of preparation toward the birth of the One who came for us and for our salvation, may God give us the wisdom, the clarity, and the eagle-eyed determination to be part of God’s big project leading to the redemption of all creation.

Pastor Jim Honig
Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran (ELCA) – Ellison Bay



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