December 5 Advent Devotion Written by Jody Cabble

Trisha Huffman | December 5, 2015

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9: 1-6)

Wow! What would it have been like to be a disciple; to receive, in the presence of Jesus, so much authority and power?

I think I would have been excited, invigorated even, at the thought of serving in such a way. Casting demons, curing diseases, preaching and healing—those are all things I can get on board with! Jesus, in speaking of power and authority, got really crazy and married those ideas to the ideals of love and humility. What a concept! Sign me up; I’m all in!

But I think my excitement might have waned pretty quickly when it was followed by the instructions to travel light. You see, I’m an American through and through. I am a straight-A graduate from the school of “Too Much.” Travel without ample supplies? Rely on the kindness of strangers? No snacks? No spending money? What madness that seems like! I probably need to think about this a little bit …

But, what if …

What if I decide to use what power and authority I have for the good of my neighbor?

What if I decide to rid myself of unnecessary possessions and trust that I have enough?

What if I decide to demonstrate my love of God with sacrificial generosity and trust that the Lord will provide?

What if I project the love of God through word and deed wherever I go?

What if I am rejected by folks and, instead of harboring resentment and a festering anger, I forgive and move on with my life?

What if …

I am not sure I can walk this path of simplicity. I am not sure I can be as flexible and available as God wants me to be. I do not know that I can be the voice of compassionate love and healing everywhere I go.

But I do know this. I am called to do these things because that is what it means to love and follow God. God has given me everything I need to be a channel of his grace and healing love. I know the world will be better if I embrace what mattered to Jesus and allow it to matter to me. Jesus has provided me some “tips” for this road trip I am on called Life; I have only to listen and heed his advice.

My prayer:      Dear God, thank you for loving me through my doubts and fears and imperfections. Help me, this season, to let go of hostility and antipathy and allow me to spread the good news through not just my words, but my actions. Amen.