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Day 3

Reflect\xa0
1. What were a couple of things that caught your attention since you prayed yesterday?\xa0
2. How has God or how might God deepen your desire for our congregation to be a foretaste to the world of God\u2019s shalom?

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Imagine\u2026 Being a Scout

\u201cAnd there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, \u201cDo not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.\u201d Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, \u201cGlory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.\u201d When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, \u2019Let\u201cs go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.\u201d Luke 2:8-15)

God is at work bringing the great turning point of the ages. A savior is born who is the Messiah, the Lord\u2014but no one notices. No one notices until the heavenly hosts fill the sky, telling the good news to the shepherds. The shepherds seeing and hearing about God at work can't sit still; they must go and see what God is doing. They must see how God brings peace (shalom) into the world. When they know what God is doing, their response is to give God praise and glory and to tell others.

The reality is that God is always going before us. God is at work. He sets the table, prepares the land, works in people's hearts, and more. Part of our faith life is discovering where God is at work. We then discern the gifts, skills, and passions of our congregation to know when to join him in that work. Sometimes that work will stretch us. Sometimes that work will call forth a new love. Sometimes that work will be so hard that we find no choice but to rest entirely on God.

But whatever that work is, when we see God at work and join him there, we return from that work, giving God praise and glory and telling others what God has done.

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Prayer Ideas. Dear God\u2026
- open our ears to hear the Spirit\u2026\xa0
- let us hear your pleasure in what we do\u2026\xa0
- let us hear your imagination for being scouts in the world\u2026\xa0
- give us a holy imagination\u2026\xa0

Daily Reflections (to take with you as you keep your eyes, heart, and spirit open during the day)\xa0
1. How did you reflect on being a scout seeing where God is at work?\xa0
2. When have you experienced our church acting as scouts?\xa0
3. Were there moments when God gave you insight into how our congregation could be scouts in the world?

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