Tuesday, November 21

Celebrating Wins, Not Resting on Our Laurels

Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.

God's people had gotten too comfortable with their success at keeping enemies at bay. They had forgotten God, who had protected them from their enemies for many years, and were resting on their laurels. They failed to pay attention to the holes in their armor, the weak points in their fortresses, and eventually they were overtaken, oppressed, and exiled. 

There's a fine line between celebrating our wins, and resting on our laurels. I believe it's important to celebrate our victories. When we get that new job, finish a remodeling project, or serve a delicious meal, enjoy the moment! You're earned it! Sometimes we think we need to rush onto the next challenge. But taking a moment to enjoy life is a key to happiness. So slow down, take a moment, pat yourself on the back, and celebrate your win.

I believe it's also important not to coast too long because once we were successful. Once you've landed the big contract, don't stop challenging yourself just because you've proven you can do it. There are more challenges ahead of you, but you will miss out on opportunities to grow if you coast on your past successes and fail to push yourself. Once you've completed the bathroom remodel, don't just coast for years without working on the rest of the house, because when the appliances in the kitchen go, you'll be eating ramen in the microwave.

Find a balance. Celebrate your wins. Challenge yourself. A healthy balance of revelry and work is a healthy, happy life.

Narrative Lectionary Text: Isaiah 22:1-14

The oracle concerning the valley of vision. What do you mean that you have gone up, all of you, to the housetops, you that are full of shoutings, tumultuous city, exultant town? Your slain are not slain by the sword, nor are they dead in battle. Your rulers have all fled together; they were captured without the use of a bow. All of you who were found were captured, though they had fled far away. Therefore I said: Look away from me, let me weep bitter tears; do not try to comfort me for the destruction of my beloved people. For the Lord God of hosts has a day of tumult and trampling and confusion in the valley of vision, a battering down of walls and a cry for help to the mountains. Elam bore the quiver with chariots and cavalry, and Kir uncovered the shield. Your choicest valleys were full of chariots, and the cavalry took their stand at the gates.

He has taken away the covering of Judah. On that day you looked to the weapons of the House of the Forest, and you saw that there were many breaches in the city of David, and you collected the waters of the lower pool. You counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to him who did it, or have regard for him who planned it long ago. In that day the Lord God of hosts called to weeping and mourning, to baldness and putting on sackcloth; but instead there was joy and festivity, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating meat and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” The Lord of hosts has revealed himself in my ears: Surely this iniquity will not be forgiven you until you die, says the Lord God of hosts.