Pastoral Devotion for January

What Makes You Tick?

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

 If you want to know what a person is really passionate about, just listen to them as they speak. It doesn’t take very long to figure out what makes them tick; it’s that one thing they continue to bring up repeatedly. The apostle Paul was relentless in sharing the Gospel of Christ throughout the world. Being among God’s people and rejoicing in the promise of life in God’s kingdom is certainly what fueled Paul’s fire.

 Paul endured hardship, imprisonment and even shipwrecks, yet nothing seemed to dampen his excitement for telling others about the power of God’s love made manifest in Christ’s victory over sin and death. The world was desperate to receive the good news of God’s salvation, and Paul was especially willing to proclaim it.

 Today, it is no secret that the world is desperate for God’s Word. As traditional values erode and the authority of Holy Scripture is not as widely recognized, the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be shared by those especially willing to proclaim it. Some endure hardship, others face persecution. But like Paul, they are relentless in their mission.

Most Christians do not face such difficulties. Still, being among the people of God, rejoicing in the promise of God’s grace, and sharing the good news of Christ makes many Christians tick. Listen, God is calling. He is calling Christians to follow the example of Paul, to speak with passion, His promise of grace and peace to a world so desperate to receive it.

Prayer: Almighty God, make us bold in our proclaiming your message of grace through Jesus Christ. Amen.