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lets #pictureadvent together!
December 12: Stay


By: Julie James
Director of Communications for First UMC
Lakeland, Florida

First, read Ruth 1:6-18 (writer suggests reading through verse 20)

My favorite movie has always been The Wizard of Oz. As a child, Dorothy’s journey to a land full of color and adventure captivated me.

After the Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow receive their courage, heart and brain, the Wizard agrees to take Dorothy home in the basket of his hot air balloon. After they’ve loaded up – just seconds before takeoff – Toto spies a cat in the crowd. He takes off after it. Dorothy follows and the balloon floats off without them.

In an instant it seems Dorothy and Toto have lost their chance and will have to stay in Oz forever. Imagine her disappointment, despair and hopelessness…

I imagine it was similar to what Naomi felt when she left Moab to return to Judah. Instead of a life of joy and happiness, she was drowning in sorrow. A famine had fallen on the land, and she had lost her husband and both sons. Out of options, she decided to return to a land she left long ago.

We learn in the beginning? of the first chapter that Naomi felt God had turned against her…had broken her.

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever prayed for something earnestly and faithfully but felt your prayer may never be answered? Have you ever felt out of options or choices? Have you ever felt invisible to God?

I have.

Staying connected to God is hard when life presents challenges that feel bigger than our faith…maybe even too big to solve. This is when we must stay connected to the Bible and disciplined in prayer. We have to stay firm in the knowledge that God is in control and wants nothing but the best for his children.

Rest assured, friend. God’s got this.

Even with everything Naomi lived through, we learn in the next chapter of Ruth that as time goes on, Naomi is able to see God’s provision for them…that God hasn’t turned his back on them…that they are more than just seen but loved.

When I’m stuck, I would love to see Glinda float in on a sparkling bubble to teach me how to solve my problems, as she did for Dorothy. While that isn’t likely, if we stay faithful when life is hard, we receive something much greater than courage, a heart, a brain or a trip home – we receive the peace of God. 



Prayer:

Dear God, staying connected to you can be hard when we feel overwhelmed. Today, show us glimpses of your love that are all around us. May our eyes be open and our hearts be receptive to seeing your provision for us and may we learn how to faithfully stay where you want us to stay. In your name, Amen.

Action Challenge:

For the next week, identify things that bring you joy in the moment. Each day, look for five items or experiences in your everyday life. You might log a cool breeze on a hot day, eating a satisfying meal, a productive day at work, reading a book – whatever it is, capture it in a note on your phone, in a journal or on your calendar so that you have reminders of ways you are blessed daily.

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

  1. Why are practicing spiritual disciplines like praying and reading your Bible important? Do you find it easier or harder to stick with them when life gets tough? 
  2. Was there a situation or a problem that seemed too big for you to solve – maybe even too big for God? 
  3. Is there someone you know stuck in a season of disappointment, despair or hopelessness? How might you show them you care about them and their situation?
Find Advent and Christmas resources at pictureadvent.com. Share your daily photo challenge on your favorite social media with #pictureadvent.
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#pictureadvent is a ministry of the Rio Texas and Michigan Conferences of The United Methodist Church






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