Great Plains Daily Devotional for 3/17/2020

2 Timothy 1:5-6 

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands;

Opening day of baseball season is always a much anticipated event for me. I love to watch Spring Training games and follow the young players who are invited to major league training camp, hoping for a chance to make it to the big leagues. Most of them will end up somewhere in the minor league system, some happy to be promoted to the next level and some disappointed yet another year. For the players making the major league team, it is a new season filled with hope for a good year and the possibility of a post season appearance. As the season goes on, reality sets in and baseball becomes hard work and the brightness dims.
  
Spring training reminds me of how life seems to work for most of us. We start out full of hope and promise of the future. Nothing seems impossible at 16. And yet, for most of us, we find those dreams seldom live up to reality. As life goes by, we are worn down by the reality of work, family, setbacks, failures and disappointments. Even our love of the church and the work we do can become drudgery. Spring and Easter are reminders that God is making all things new. It is a time we can fan the flame of our love of God and Jesus Christ and encourage one another to be faithful. My prayer for you this Spring is a renewing of your faith through the hope that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 12:1-4
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9