June 2020 – Daily Devo Time

Daily Devotional for June 30, 2020 – It’s time for a spiritual re-set!

Psalm 121:1-2
I look up to the mountains;
does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

It never ceases to amaze me how the daily devotionals in Jesus Calling* dovetail with current events – and the events of my life on that particular day. The June 29th entry was no exception, as it spoke of how we may feel anxious about certain situations – and even ask the question, “If XYZ happens, will I be able to manage the outcome and consequences?” The explanation was that we are not alone…that we have God’s strength behind us. So the real question is not whether we can manage this situation…but rather, how will God help us to get through it together.

We must keep this in mind as we tackle the present difficulties set before us. We are not called to handle them alone. In fact, we are directed in scripture to call on the strength of God to make the difference…the strength of God who made heaven, earth and mountains…the strength of God who can call on the mountain to move – and it does!

So let’s do a little “reset” today and shift control to the One who truly has the power to make a difference. In the spirit of the June 30th entry in Jesus Calling, let’s put our trust in Jesus, who died to set us free and shift from worry about what lies ahead to confidence that with God, all things are possible. Let’s remind ourselves of the words in Philippians 4:13 that “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” (The Living Bible)

Reset your thinking today…quit trying to handle everything alone. God is asking us to hang on – to keep the faith and trust that He is working on all the challenges in our lives. He is calling on us to place our hand in that of Jesus Christ – and feel His strength and power, as together, we forge ahead with hope, assurance, and joy. And always, always, remember to be grateful…and to give God praise for His amazing love and care.

* Jesus Calling ~ http://jesuscalling.com

Daily Devotional for June 29, 2020 – Who is your ultimate Superhero?

Psalm 118:5-16
Pushed to the wall, I called to God;
from the wide open spaces, he answered.
God’s now at my side and I’m not afraid;
who would dare lay a hand on me?
God’s my strong champion;
I flick off my enemies like flies.
Far better to take refuge in God
than trust in people;
Far better to take refuge in God
than trust in celebrities.
Hemmed in by barbarians,
in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
Hemmed in and with no way out,
in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in;
in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.
I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,
when God grabbed and held me.
God’s my strength, he’s also my song,
and now he’s my salvation.
Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs
in the camp of the saved?
“The hand of God has turned the tide!
The hand of God is raised in victory!
The hand of God has turned the tide!”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

Our eleven-year-old nephew, Timothy, has a YouTube channel, where he posts videos of “stories” he has created – usually starring his LEGO mini-figures. In most of these, there is at least one villain – and a superhero (or three). The characters change with each “movie”, but the message remains the same…everyone loves a hero.

As our children grow and mature, I hope we do a good job of instilling in them the sense that they truly do have a hero…and it’s not their parents, their grandparents, their Uncle Greg and Aunt Debbie, their teachers, or even a world leader. The only true hero is their Heavenly Father…and with God, all things are possible.

Hopefully we all have that moment when our allegiance and devotion shifts from “mortal heroes” to a true Redeemer. When we begin to place our hope and trust in God rather than man, everything changes. In many instances, we all rely on one or more person to help us navigate “life”. When we begin to realize that they are human (i.e. fallible), the blinders come off – and we start seeking someone to fill the gap. That Someone is God Almighty! His hand is raised in victory! He has turned the tide! God is our strong Champion!

Some of us are still engaged in child’s play. We are still placing our hope and faith in mere mortals. Even when we hear the voice of God whispering in our ear to “go this way or that”…we often choose to follow the earthly “hero” who tells us what we want to hear. Like our Timothy, we try to write the “scripts” to fit our own narrative…or to please our current desires and whims. The time has come to set aside child’s play…to follow God’s script…to give Him complete control and the final say.

As the Psalmist tells us…”Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people; Far better to take refuge in God than trust in celebrities.” God IS our strength and song. He IS our salvation. Make this the day that you truly make Him your ultimate “Superhero”.

Daily Devotional for June 28, 2020 – Bad news, bird’s nests, and better days – deciding to trust the LORD in everything

Psalm 111:10
Bad news won’t bother them;
they have decided
to trust the Lord.
They are dependable
and not afraid,
and they will live to see
their enemies defeated.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

We did a yard visit with our niece and her three children this morning…social distanced, of course. During the course of less than an hour, all three asked, “When can we come to your house again?” We gently explained…”Someday,” although we have no clue when this will actually be. We tried to assure them that we will be able to visit and hug – and do all of the things we used to do again someday…that in essence, we will see COVID-19 defeated.

We also had a “porch visit” with Greg’s mother, who is celebrating her 94th birthday. We talked about what a different birthday this is, as we sat six feet apart. We reminisced about earlier birthdays and how last year, we went out for a meal with other family members. Today, the “party refreshments” consisted of milk shakes from Sonic. This was not the birthday celebration we anticipated, but we made the best of it.

Greg and I watched a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about the polio outbreak in the 1950s. Someone noted that at the time, people were as worried about polio as we are today about the Coronavirus. I believe that God directed the steps of the virologists who developed the polio vaccine…and treatments for other diseases. And He is working on a cure for this “enemy” as we speak. Ultimately, we trust that God prevail and bring us relief from the challenges that we continue to face as we cope with this present difficulty.

It would be a lie to say that bad news doesn’t bother us…it just does. This doesn’t mean we have to dwell on it…or fear the future. This morning, we talked about things we anticipate doing…getting treats from the ice cream truck, going back to school, roller skating again, swimming, and more. We watched a mother wren tend to babies in a nest on Grandma’s porch and were reminded that the cycle of life continues. I snapped a picture of the children with their mother and marveled at how tall they all are now – and how much they have grown.

If we will only pay attention, God is showing us at every turn that He is still in control. God is reminding us that even in the midst of “bad news” and deadly enemies, He is making a way forward – and guiding our steps. We have every reason to be hopeful, because God is just that powerful and loving. He will not leave us here in the “Land of Bad News” forever. And for this, we give Him our complete obedience and continual praise.

Daily Devotional for June 27, 2020 – Choosing the right “leadership” – serving God with reverence and obedience

Psalm 103:13-18
He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him. For he knows we are but dust and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever.

But the loving-kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting to those who reverence him; his salvation is to children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant and remember to obey him!

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My cousin Carolyn has a new baby – born in February. Sam is her whole world, as well he should be. In a recent message exchange, I noted how fast the time goes – especially the first year. Babies change every single day. She said, “I love watching him grow and mourn for his last stage, but am excited for the next. I never anticipated that roller coaster.” She speaks for most who have loved a child – especially a baby. We know the days will go lightning fast. But then we wake up and our “babies” are 8, 9, and 11 – or 23, 30, or almost 50 – and we wonder how it happened so quickly!

God is more than the father who delights in watching His babies grow. He loves us like an earthly parent…but He cares for us like our Creator and Heavenly Father. He wants the best for us and stands ready to guide us – and correct us as necessary. But God also stands ready to forgive us, scatter our sins to the ends of the earth, and set us upright again. For all of the love, protection, nurture and guidance that earthly parents can provide, they cannot offer Salvation and Eternal Life. Only God can do this, through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

There are some things that earthly parents and mentors simply cannot control – or fix. With God, nothing is impossible. And when we put our trust in Him and continually seek His will and guidance, He always meets our needs. When we reverence God and acknowledge His endless love and power, we feel His presence in a profound, incomparable way. No one will ever love us like God does!

Yesterday, MSNBC news anchor Chuck Todd asked Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson whether it would help convince Arkansans to wear a mask if the White House would make a statement of encouragement/endorsement on this matter. In his answer, the governor said, “Nothing beats leadership”. The key is…whose leadership we are following? Who are you listening to…who do you revere and obey? Are you putting your stock in mere mortals, or are you seeking God’s leadership? Are you trusting human beings – even those in positions of supposed “authority” – to determine how you think and act? Or are you prayerfully asking God to send you GOOD, SOLID, RELIABLE information…to place expert information in front of you so that you can make safe and wise decisions? Are you asking God to give you common sense and a peace about your actions?

Nobody loves you like God. Nobody will ever give you better advice or direction. No one cares more about your destiny – both earthly and heavenly – than God. And no one can truly give you Eternal Life except our Heavenly Father. Earthly “parents” and leaders can tell you all day long how much they love you or want the best for you – and some genuinely do. But the only One you can ever fully depend upon is God Almighty. If you stay faithful to His covenant and obey Him in all things, He will take care of the rest.

Daily Devotional for June 26, 2020 – Scattered sins and social consciousness – serving God with faithful obedience

Psalm 103:8-12
The Lord is merciful!
He is kind and patient,
and his love never fails.

The Lord won’t always be angry
and point out our sins;
he doesn’t punish us
as our sins deserve.

How great is God’s love for all
who worship him?
Greater than the distance
between heaven and earth!

How far has the Lord taken
our sins from us?
Farther than the distance
from east to west!

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Never underestimate God’s sense of timing – and His sense of humor! This morning, I was pretty perturbed over some posts I have seen on social media of (mostly young) adults posing arm-in-arm in groups of as many as 10 or more, and none of them were wearing masks. These are people I know…people who are active in the community…people who have families that include folks with compromised immune systems – and those in the “vulnerable” categories for age and health conditions. These are parents of children who may attend school with our children in a few weeks – and potentially send the virus home to members of our family.

I felt my patience quickly falling to the wayside, and I said to Greg, “It breaks my heart to think that SOMEONE these people know and love will have to get sick – and possibly die from COVID-19 – before they take this seriously, start wearing masks, and practice social distancing.” I would never wish this horrific illness – or any other calamity – on another person. It is not my desire to see others “punished” for their misdeeds. Still, I am frustrated…and wondering how (or when) this virus will ever leave us, at this rate!

As I read this passage from the Psalms, which happens to be one of my favorites…I thought of how God feels about all of this. He has equipped us with a brain for thinking…He whispers in our ear constantly about which direction we should go (if only we will listen!). God sends scientists and medical experts to tell us what to do and to help us stay healthy and safe. He provides us with all sorts of media to “get the word out” to the ends of the earth. So when we have all of this credible information at our fingertips – and we still choose to do our own thing, He must be ready to “lay down the hammer” on some of us! And who could blame Him?!

Aren’t you glad this isn’t how God operates? Aren’t you glad He doesn’t just say, “I have had it with these people” and wipe us from the face of the earth? Aren’t you glad that we serve a God of infinite chances? Isn’t it amazing that God sees our sins – and when we admit our wrongdoing and ask forgiveness, He scatters them as far as East is from West?! This is the best news ever!

I know that I am far from perfect. I know that I make mistakes and poor choices…and that I don’t have all of the answers. But I know the One who does! I know that God will never desert me…and when I listen for His voice and stay close to Him, my path is straight and sure. This doesn’t mean that no one in my family will get this horrible virus, despite all of our efforts to avoid it and do the right things. It means that I am confident that God will protect me, according to His perfect plans…that He will give me infinite chances – and scatter my sins every time I ask Him to set me upright.

Listening to God and following Him with faithful obedience represents the best hope I have of living in His abundant mercy, forgiveness, and love. In fact, God guarantees it in Psalm 103! Make this the day you listen for God’s voice, trust Him in all things, practice social distance…and WEAR THE MASK!

Daily Devotional for June 25, 2020 – Get comfortable being uncomfortable…and praise God with all your heart!

Psalm 103:1-7
With all my heart
I praise the Lord,
and with all that I am
I praise his holy name!

With all my heart
I praise the Lord!
I will never forget
how kind he has been.

The Lord forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick,
and protects us from death.

His kindness and love
are a crown on our heads.
Each day that we live,
he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength
of a young eagle.

For all who are mistreated,
the Lord brings justice.
He taught his Law to Moses
and showed all Israel
what he could do.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

This morning, I was listening to a television interview with a child psychologist in our state. The topic was how to help our children cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the things she said was that this is a good time to teach children to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. This would actually be a good lesson for all of us.

Here’s the thing…God never said we wouldn’t be uncomfortable. He just said He would take care of us, meet our needs, heal us, and bring justice. Learning to trust God – especially when we are uncomfortable – is the mark of a maturing faith. Jesus called on all who are weary and heavy labored to come to Him for rest. He did not say, “I will make all of your problems go away.” Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us…He didn’t say that we would never have any trouble – or feel uncomfortable.

God’s word is filled with examples of people who were uncomfortable…and demonstrations of how God cared for them. Countless passages deal with situations where God’s people experienced everything from plagues to personal persecution to broken promises and even physical destruction…and still, they persevered as He met their needs. It wasn’t always pretty, and surely the “answers” weren’t necessarily what was requested. Still, God always answers, according to His will and perfect plans. Our job is to trust Him and His process…and to learn to be (relatively) comfortable with being uncomfortable.

None of us likes this pandemic. I would suggest that not a single one of us is truly “comfortable” with COVID-19 and the impact it is having on our world. This is what is meant by being “comfortable with being uncomfortable”. Even while we are grappling with how to conduct our daily lives and stay safe and healthy, we are trusting God to fill in the gaps…to guide our decisions and give us the mental, physical and emotional tools needed to cope. THIS is making ourselves “comfortable” with the discomfort of this situation. Praising God even when the world is crumbling around us – and genuinely trusting Him to bring us through whatever we are enduring – demonstrates a state of being “comfortable” in uncomfortable circumstances.

I will be the first to admit that I do not always do well with being uncomfortable. There is so much about the present situation that makes me sad, at best – and anxious much of the time. I am spending more time reading God’s word and truly covering myself in His message. I am doing all that I can to fully absorb God’s promise of love, nurture, and continual presence in all circumstances, so that I really can truly become comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is the time to straighten our crowns of God’s kindness and love…stick out our chests with the strength and confidence of a young eagle…sing praises to the LORD…and get comfortable!

Daily Devotional for June 24, 2020 – From haircuts to hard choices…let God help you make the best decisions!

Proverbs 3:5-6
With all your heart
you must trust the Lord
and not your own judgment.
Always let him lead you,
and he will clear the road
for you to follow.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I don’t know about you, but I have really wrestled with several decisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these has been whether to keep long-scheduled appointments for such things as haircuts. I know this may seem like a minor issue (or maybe not, depending on how you feel about your hair!). Let me put this in perspective for you. Before the pandemic, I got a haircut every three weeks. The last appointment that I kept with my hairdresser was on March 4th.

Since that time, I have cancelled several appointments. However, in late May when our governor reopened hair salons, I decided that I would take the plunge and return for a haircut. My sweet hairdresser accommodated me as best she could by giving me the first appointment of the day and assuring me that only one other stylist and client would be in the salon with us. I agreed to the appointment. And then an unsettled feeling took hold, and I began to feel anxious and unsure.

As the day wore on – and I learned about an increase in COVID-19 cases, I just could not do it. I texted my hairdresser and told her that I was sorry – but I just could not keep the appointment after all. She was so gracious and assured me that I should not worry about this…that she fully understood my hesitance.

Another more unsettling event was the upcoming wedding of Greg’s great-niece. As the date to RSVP approached (and again, the number of coronavirus cases on the rise), we determined that we simply did not feel safe being in a crowd of people who are coming from all over the country. We talked with several other family members, and collectively, we had to make the difficult decision to decline this invitation. The wedding will go on as planned…and we will be with the bride and groom in spirit. We look forward to seeing lots of pictures and video.

These are two very different events – perhaps at opposite ends of the “Importance Spectrum”. In both cases, I felt terribly unsettled as I prayed and asked God, “What should I do?” Once I made the decision not to attend, I immediately felt a sense of peace. And in the days since, there has been a succession of incidents that have reinforced my choices and convinced me that we are making wise decisions. From a large, “historical” choice for our family to the seemingly small option not to get a haircut, God has guided my steps and reminded me that He cares about every single event of my life.

Sometimes, it is hard to be patient. Sometimes, we just want to forge ahead without really thinking. Surely God doesn’t want to be bothered with little minor details like whether or not we should attend an event…much less get a haircut! He is bound to be far too busy with bigger things to have time for such pettiness! And after all, can’t we make a simple decision like this on our own? The truth is that nothing is too big – or too trifling – for God to address. God cares about every single aspect of our lives. The other thing to remember is that you and I are not equipped to make sound decisions on our own. We just aren’t! We need God’s guidance and wisdom…if for no other reason than to demonstrate our submission to His will and respect for His omnipotence. We are supposed to depend on God…for everything!

The more I “let go and let God” have control, the more peace and confidence I have about every aspect of my life. There is great freedom and joy in surrender to God and trust in Him to handle every single detail. Admitting that we need help is not a bad thing…and when we are turning to God, this is a GREAT demonstration of growth and maturity as a Christian. Make this the day that you truly begin to trust God for every decision and admit that you need His wisdom and guidance in your life. Acknowledge God in every single decision…from haircuts to how to handle the events of a pandemic. Put God at the forefront of everything you do, and rest in His decisions. He will never lead you in the wrong direction. Stay safe, be well, and keep praying!

Daily Devotional for June 23, 2020 – This is no time for cowards!

Proverbs 29:25
Don’t fall into the trap
of being a coward—
trust the Lord,
and you will be safe.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I’ve been scanning and cataloging old family photos, so my ancestors are front and center in my thoughts of late. My great-Aunt Altha was one of my favorite people. She was kind, witty, and a delightful person with an endearing demeanor – and everyone adored her. After she celebrated her 70th birthday, Aunt Altha began to declare that “at my age, you can say and do whatever you want!” And often, she did…with a giggle and a shrug of the shoulders. And everyone would laugh.

In fairness, I never heard Aunt Altha say anything unkind or derogatory. She just spoke her mind about current events, television shows and other topics…and if she wanted to have glazed donuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner, she did! She also had a special way of dodging any questions she didn’t want to answer. She would simply respond, “Oh, honey…I don’t remember!” And then she would giggle and shrug.

A lot of us have adopted Aunt Altha’s, “Oh, honey…I don’t remember!” attitude. It’s not that we don’t really remember certain things…it’s more that we have fallen into the trap of being a bit of a coward. We don’t want to speak out against racism, discrimination, bigotry, and hatred, because we don’t want to be judged (as ironic as that sounds). We don’t want to rock the boat! We don’t want to even gently suggest to a friend or loved one that we have a differing opinion, because we want to “keep the peace” – and to be liked by all. We like to stay in our lane and choose to remain silent and still. We tend to declare, “I don’t have a dog in this fight” and pretend things are not happening.

My mother always said that our Aunt Altha chose not to dwell on unpleasant or controversial things. And there is a lot to be said for this attitude. Still, we cannot turn a blind eye to the devil’s work…and he is plenty busy these days. We must trust God to guard and guide us – and speak out as He directs. We must prayerfully stand up for those who are oppressed, excluded, and derided. We must declare to all who will listen that Christ died for all who will surrender to Him and ask forgiveness.

We must walk away from gossip, speak up when someone disparages others, and demonstrate in our own words and action that we have no tolerance for hatred of any kind. We must be willing to ask questions and stand tall when God calls us to action. We must be willing to wear a mask and stay at home when others claim that COVID-19 is “no worse than the flu” and “you’re being paranoid.” We must always treat others as we wish to be treated…and love them with the love of Christ Jesus.

At every turn, we have to call on God for wisdom and listen to His directives – then act on them! We have to forge ahead with confidence that we are serving our Heavenly Father and speaking and acting in a manner that reflects His will for our lives. “Oh, honey…I don’t remember!” may work when asking an older relative a question about the past. It doesn’t play well in the arena of treating others as God wants us to treat them. God is calling us to “hitch up our britches”, stick out our chests, and serve as He guides – and guards. The time has come to answer!

Daily Devotional for June 22, 2020 – Sharing the light of Christ in a hurting world…it’s time to bring a word of good cheer!

Proverbs 12:25
Worry is a heavy burden,
but a kind word
always brings cheer.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

“Why was the mushroom the hit of the party? He was a fungi!”

This was the riddle I texted to Timothy a few days ago. He’s been pretty down and bored lately, and I thought it might help to cheer him up a bit. He replied… “he he he he”…and then he sent back a little video snippet of himself, smiling and waving to me. So I guess it worked – at least momentarily.

The Living Bible refers to “worry” as “anxious hearts”…and with good reason. Plenty of our hearts are anxious these days. If COVID-19 doesn’t give you pause, perhaps you are disturbed by the civil unrest in our world – and the underlying hate that has caused it. Maybe your “anxious heart” is the result of a scary diagnosis, a personal relationship difficulty, job and/or economic loss…or concern over how to get your kids to behave! Regardless of your “angst”, God understands…and I pray that He sends a kind word of cheer in your direction.

None of us is completely immune to burdens – or worry. While some surely handle stress and difficulty better than others, we all are subject to suffering from an “anxious heart” at one time or another. If we assume that every person we meet at least has the potential to be carrying a worrisome burden, it would seem that we should be continually on the lookout for opportunities to offer a word of cheer. I’ll let you in on a secret…the more we offer uplifting words to others, the more hopeful and positive you and I will feel about our own lives! Cheer and encouragement are contagious!

I know we aren’t supposed to worry. I also know that I cannot fix anything of my own accord. I realize that so many of the things that concern me are far above my “pay grade” and are solely in God’s hands. I also understand that I am human, and the devil LOVES to riddle me with anxiety – especially about things beyond my control. While I prayerfully hand my concerns to God, I must be on the lookout for ways to counterbalance the negative narrative in my head. Finding ways to bring a word of cheer generally does the trick!

This is our moment to shine as Christ’s disciples…to show others that even in the middle of a worrisome pandemic, civil unrest, and whatever else is the “problem du jour”, we can offer a ray of sunshine…a glimmer of hope…a kind word of encouragement and cheer. We can send an e-mail or text…mail a funny cartoon to someone…or simply smile at others. We can stand tall, shoulders back and “straighten our crowns” as heirs to the Throne of Grace…and we can look for ways to bring hope and joy to others and encourage them in their discipleship.

We are living in a time of some serious crises…and I do not mean to make light of them in the least. If we carefully and humbly ask God to show us how and where to “be of good cheer” on His behalf, we will never come across as flippant or disrespectful. Instead, we will be the light of Christ to a hurting world…and heal ourselves a bit in the process. When we begin to focus on making everything we say and do be for Christ’s glory, the cheerful words will come…for us and for others. Burdens will be lightened and hearts flooded with peace and comfort. And the way will be cleared for God to do the truly hard things. Hallelujah! Let’s get busy!

Daily Devotional for June 21, 2020 – Listening to our Heavenly Father…and living in peace and safety, unafraid

Proverbs 1:29-33
“For you closed your eyes to the facts and did not choose to reverence and trust the Lord, and you turned your back on me, spurning my advice. That is why you must eat the bitter fruit of having your own way and experience the full terrors of the pathway you have chosen. For you turned away from me—to death; your own complacency will kill you. Fools! But all who listen to me shall live in peace and safety, unafraid.”

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More than a few people these days are trying to live in a “Burger King®” world. They want to “have it their way” and will stop at nothing in their attempts to choose their own path and do what suits them – with little to no regard for the well-being and feelings of themselves – or others. “Well, nobody is going to tell me to wear a mask! I will not be manipulated. No one is going to control me. I am my own boss – I can decide what is best!” You know the song and dance. Everybody wants to be their own master – to control their own destiny!

The truth is that this attitude will get you nowhere as a child of God. The time has come to recognize that God has provided us with everything (and everyone) we need to flourish…to live in peace and safety, unafraid. He has put “Good Samaritans” and “guardian angels” in our path. For some of us, God sent a benefactor to help us start a business, get on our feet, get an education – or put food on the table. God sent scientists and medical people to develop vaccines and cures – and care for us when we are sick. He sent disciples to nurture and encourage us spiritually. Still, many refuse to recognize His presence and acknowledge His wisdom.

Too many have decided that God and His witnesses are the bogeyman…determined to undermine free will and control everything in our lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. To operate in God’s wisdom is to know true freedom and peace. To live according to His ways and offer acceptance and gratitude for the guidance and ministries He provides is to experience true freedom.

To accept all people as God’s precious children rather than walking around deciding this one or that one is “different” or unacceptable in some manner is bondage. To expend energy creating lies and a false narrative in favor of the simple truth is exhausting! To live with bitterness, bigotry and hatred is its own form of hell on earth. And all of this is so unnecessary.

We need to “have it GOD’s way” – not ours! We need to recognize His perfect wisdom and care…to acknowledge His unending quest to bring us close to His heart and hold us there, day in and out. We need to stop fighting, hating and operating in arrogance and stupidity – and humbly kneel before God’s throne. We need to say, “Father, I thank you for the amazing gifts you give me every day – none of which I deserve. Thank you for your unending love, wisdom, grace, mercy, forgiveness and peace. I acknowledge that You are showing me the right way to live…You are placing disciples and Your Holy Word before me as a guide. All I have to do is accept these and follow You. Please help me to lose my pride and stubbornness. Please welcome me “Home” and hold me close in your love and care.”

We need our Heavenly Father! We need God’s wisdom and care more than ever, it seems…and He is right here with us – waiting for us to acknowledge His presence and live in His nurture and peace. And this seems like the perfect day to get started!

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