Devotion of the Week
February 12, 2005
By: Rev. Mary Delila Miller, Pastor
Trace Branch /Campground United Methodist Church

²²For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. ²³Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" Mark 4:22-23

My full name is Mary Delila Miller. I have always thought of my name as being an interesting contradiction. On the one hand, you have the name Mary--bringing to mind the virgin child who bore our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. On the other hand, you have the name Delila--bringing to mind a harlot who manipulated Samson into cutting his hair and thereby losing his strength.

Because Lent is a time of self-examination, I have been closely looking at my life. I have to confess, there have been periods of time in my life when Delila was a very appropriate name. Times that I am not proud of. Times when my relationship with God was very distant. Times when I let the things of the world win me over. Times that I secretly hope God wasn't watching.

But like Mary, God sought me out. He put circumstances in my life that caused me to turn back to him, recommit my life and renew my faith. And also, like Mary, he has a very special purpose for me.

Let us all praise God that he loves us enough to search us out.