¹³ “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. ¹⁴ I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁵ I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. ¹⁶ They do not belong to this world any more than I do. ¹⁷ Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. ¹⁸ Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. ¹⁹ And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

John 17:13-19

Dear God, yesterday was supposed to be a simple day, but several things got very complicated on a lot of different fronts, and now I am sitting here with a bit of a heavy heart. There are some problems to solve today, and I do not know how to solve them. There are relationships to navigate, and I don’t know how to navigate them. There are people to love, and I don’t know how to love them. So as I sit here, a week from Christmas Day, I wonder where my heavy heart should be. How should I be responding to these things?

Piper’s reading today focused on verse 18 and the “sending” of the disciples and all of us into the world. And that is true. You are sending me into the world today. And my job is to be your ambassador. To help people 1.) see the difference worshipping you and serving you makes in my life, and 2.) inviting them into worshipping you and serving you. I am also to help others. When I see need, I need to prayerfully consider how to respond to it.

Piper’s commentary today addresses the persecution that can come with missions and representing you in the world: “The greatest danger a missionary faces is to distrust the mercy of God. If that danger is avoided, then all other dangers lose their sting. God makes ever dagger a scepter in our hand. As J.W. Alexander says, ‘Each instant of present labor is to be graciously repaid with a million ages of glory.'”

Father, it’s funny how I recoil at the part about any sacrifice I make being “repaid with a million ages of glory.” Frankly, that’s not why I do any of this. I do what I do because I love you. Because I get joy from loving and helping others. So do with my life what you will today. Bring your kingdom and your will into this world today. Give me what you need me to have. Forgive me for failing you and others. Help me to forgive others. And keep me from the temptations of my corrupt heart. And to you and you alone be all glory and honor, now and forever.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen