Ten Minutes for Teachers
Jan. 14, 2006
Vol. 5, Issue 1 

Worship Texts:  I Cor.12:1-11; Ps. 36:5-10; John 2:1-11

Worship Theme:  Glory!

Other Texts:   Isaiah 62:1-5

Devotion: 

There is a season for everything – a season of plenty and a season of want, a season of planting and a season of harvesting.  Such is the timeless wisdom of Solomon as laid out in the book of Ecclesiastes. 

And not so long ago communities were more deeply aware of these natural cycles of life.  Consequently, our grandfathers and grandmothers understood the deep richness of waiting for crops to come in during the fall or for fruit to grow again after the winter.  Now, we live in a culture of perpetual abundance. 

Generally, we can go out to the store and get anything we need, and we can get it in abundance.  Sugar, bananas, cookies:  why you can even get fish from the Atlantic Ocean any day of the week if you know where to look.  The natural rhythms of life are masked by the global market economy.

Ultimately, this is unfortunate, for always having access to everything decreases our appreciation of abundance.  Plus, when abundance becomes the norm our lives are also thrown out of balance. 

Still, there is one place where we can learn to live within the natural rhythms of life:  the church calendar.

We – as a church body – have been waiting like farmers wait for their crops to come in during the summer.  But having come through the first period of waiting in the Christian calendar (Advent), we are living in the full glory of God’s love revealed to us in Jesus Christ (Christmas and Epiphany).  We are enjoying the fruits of God’s work amongst us.  Now is a season of abundance and presence.

And this week, we have the opportunity to taste and see an abundance of grace and truth through Jesus’ first miracle:  turning water into wine.  The backdrop is a wedding celebration – a timeless image of joy and feasting.  And just when the celebration appears to be headed for a drought, Jesus unleashes a flood of additional wine (and the best wine at that!).  It is a beautiful image of God’s own generous action:  releasing a new storm of mercy and love upon a people who were dying from spiritual starvation.

As you dig into and soak up Jesus’ first miracle this week, may you celebrate the abundant gift God gives us through Jesus Christ.  And may you remember that there is a season for everything – allowing the abundance of this season to add further depth to your waiting in the past (Advent) and your waiting to come (Lent).

Something to Chew On:

The only way to appreciate abundance is to know personally the risk of poverty.  As you reflect upon your life, is there a realm emotionally, spiritually or even physically that seems poor or mal-nourished?  As you reflect upon this poverty, try re-reading the miracle at Cana story in John 2:1-11.  Hopefully, God’s lavish act will be further enhanced as you empathize with the fear that their will not be enough wine to go around.

Prayer for the day:

“God of abundance, we praise you for your generous Spirit and steadfast care.  Let us feast with joy on the good gifts you provide each day.  Amen.” Seasons of the Spirit, pg. 39.