Spring

Scripture says, “For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” It’s so wonderful to see everything springing back to life this time of year. And like the freshness of spring we each have an opportunity to start new, to be what is bright and different in this world. We don’t have to settle for the way it’s been. It’s a new day.

To You, From Him

You’re doing a great job. I know sometimes it doesn’t feel like it but you really are. Sure there are some things that need to change but don’t worry about them, together we’ll get to them at just the right time and you don’t have to be afraid. The world is going to throw overwhelming evidence at you that makes it seem like you are failing. Don’t believe the lies or be discouraged. The fact that you desire more of Me is success in itself. I’m so very proud of you.

Come Back

Do you ever have those times when God seems a little distant? You know something is not like it could be so you start to worry about it and put a plan into action. You determine to read more and pray more and before you know it you’ve taken the relationship completely into your own hands, religion has taken over and you aren’t any closer than when you started. I wonder if God might want to say, “slow down, rest, come back over here I haven’t gone anywhere. Don’t try so hard, Let’s just be together today”?

Patiently Listening

For the last few weeks I’ve been pondering and praying about the best way to move some planters from the yard onto the deck. I’ve researched on the www and asked around but didn’t feel like I had the right idea so I kept praying and waiting. Then yesterday as I was praying, it suddenly occurred to me as natural as can be.

This kind of thing raises questions with people. Do you think God gave you the idea? Does God really concern Himself with such little things? I think that together God and I came up with the plan and that absolutely He cares about the smallest of details in our lives. We just have to wait, listen and recognize.

Together

God’s intent, desire and plan for you has and always will be to do everything together. This is especially true during difficult times. Scripture doesn’t specifically say anywhere that God won’t give you more than you can handle but it does indicate the concept that with Him you can handle everything that comes your way. This is not only so with what God has for you but also includes the difficult things that He never intended. With Him all is possible. I love what Mother Teresa had to say about this, “I Know God won’t give me more than I can handle I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.” You and God together are unconquerable.

Wounded

We’ve all been wounded; it’s part of life. We live in an imperfect world filled with flawed people, not the least of which is I. As we mentioned yesterday, being aware that we are no better than those around us allows us to have the heart of God towards people but we have to present our weakness to Him. It’s the same with our wounds. A wound kept from the Lord only hardens our heart and like our hidden flaws, keeps others at a distance. Hurt and pain turned over to God brings healing and permits us to be used in the healing of others.

Weakness

God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we humbly give our weakness to Him it transforms us into people with compassion for others. When we are aware of our shortcomings it frees us to see beyond the faults of those around us. It’s common for us to try to hide our weakness by amplifying the flaws of others, which only closes us off from God and the people He wants us to love. But people not afraid to share their weaknesses are a demonstration of His power.

I Got This

I got this is a pretty silly thing to say to the God of the universe. When someone far more qualified than ourselves offers to help, isn’t the smart thing to say, “absolutely”? Yet far too much of our life is kept from God. We each have weaknesses, flaws and wounds that we don’t trust Him to handle. We try to hide them from others, pretend they aren’t there and deal with them only when they become obvious. If we will trust Him, He’ll make our weakness strength, our flaws beautiful and use our wounds to help others heal.

One Thing

There’s a scene in the movie City Slickers where the grizzled cowboy Curly tells Mitch, the soft city guy in the middle of a mid-life crisis that “The secret of life is… just one thing”. Jesus says pretty much the same thing in Luke’s Gospel, “Only one thing is needed…” He’s answering Martha as she complains that Mary is not serving. The “one thing” Mary’s discovered is that there is nothing better than being in the presence of the Lord. The same is true for us today. We have the same choice Mary did. Are we going to sit at His feet and listen or busy ourselves with the lesser things?

God has an idea for your day.

I’m not exactly sure what it is but it’s probably going to involve someone else. The only way to know for sure is to ask Him. Draw close today and throughout look for the opportunity He’s prepared. Don’t be afraid you’re the perfect one for this; trust. When you see who it is, care for them as only you can. There’s nothing more exhilarating than sharing His love.