Lifeguard

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT) 

When life is going smoothly, it is like being in a placid lake on a warm day. You can wade waist deep in the refreshing water, enjoy yourself, and go back to the shore when you want. When you are going through adversity, it feels as if you are being carried by a strong current down a swift river. At first, you may try to swim or grab something to stay afloat. But eventually, you recognize your powerlessness. You can’t keep your head above water no matter how hard you strive. 

When you realize that your life has become unmanageable, what do you do? Do you try harder? Do you find a way to escape, distract, or numb yourself? Or perhaps, you fall into despair and give up. 

When you get to the end of yourself, surrender to God. Stop grasping at objects to stay afloat. Quit striving to stay in control. Let Jesus carry you in His strong arms. Trust in Him. Accept His help. Submit to His Power. Even in deep waters and strong currents, the Lord is a reliable Life Guard. He will not let you drown. 

A Responsive Heart

“I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands.” (Ezekiel 36:25-27 MSG)

A heart transplant is a major operation. A failing, diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart that has been donated by someone who died recently. Obviously, this is not a procedure that a patient can do on his own. 

Some of us develop unresponsive souls from years of hard living. Our spiritual arteries may be clogged from excess. For others, repeated trials may have made them bitter and insensitive. Whatever the reason, we cannot fix ourselves. Neither can our loved ones. Only God can, and He has promised to do so.

Lord, sprinkle clean water over us until we are clean. Wash all the filth away. Give us new hearts. Take away our hard, self-willed hearts. Put Your Spirit in us. Make us responsive to Your will.  

 

Juneteenth

“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.” (Galatians 4:7 NLT)

On June 19th, 1865, the people of Texas were notified that all slaves were free. This news came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after General Robert E. Lee had surrendered. However, those who were enslaved didn’t know, and their captors continued to keep them in bondage. 

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces.” (Galatians 4:8-9 NIV)

Many of us feel oppressed and powerless. Although we have heard the good news that we are no longer slaves, we still live in bondage. We submit to our baser nature and the miserable forces of this world. Like an addict, we go back to harmful hedonism. Evil wants us to think we are still indentured servants. The chains may still be around us, but they are no longer attached. We are free to be good, to do good, and to live meaningful lives filled with purpose. 

 

Rushing Ishmaels

“Despite God’s promise, years went by. Still Abram’s wife Sarai remained childless. But she did have an Egyptian servant girl whose name was Hagar. Sarai had an idea...” (Genesis 16:1 VOICE)

God had promised Abraham and Sarai a son. But years went by and they remained childless. So Sarai decided to take things into her own hands.

 “Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.”(Genesis 16:3-4 NIV)

This was not the fulfillment of God’s promise. Hagar had a son, Ishmael, from this union. Ishmael grew up to be a wild and rowdy man who was hostile to everyone. 

When God’s timing doesn’t match our expectations, it is tempting to take things into our own hands. A little self-initiative seems like a good idea. We imagine that God needs us to help things along. However, the results of our meddling can lead to new problems. In our impatience, we may end up rushing an Ishmael instead of the promised Isaac. 

Lord, help us to wait upon Your timing, even when it makes no sense. Grant us patience. Teach us to trust You. 

Looking for Jesus

“I know you’re here looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here—he has risen victoriously, just as he said!” (Matthew 28:5-6 TPT)

Early one morning, I was out in the back yard with my dog. The sun was just rising, and the morning mist still hung in the air. The light filtered through staining the sky in brilliant hues of pink and orange. The trees swayed their arms, animated by the wind. The subtle scent of early spring flowers and new grass filled the air. The birds were awake and chirping loudly. It seemed like they were trying to outsing each other. I stood still and soaked in the moment. I’m always on the lookout for Jesus, but I don’t always notice Him. For a few minutes that morning, my heart became receptive. 

“Where is this risen Christ? Everywhere and all around us—in you, your neighbor, the dogwood tree outside, the budding grape vine, the ants popping up through the cracks. The whole world is filled with God, who is shining through even the darkest places of our lives.” (Ilia Delio)

Christ is everywhere and all around us--in each of us and all of creation. The whole world is filled with God. He is in the dark and the light, in the sick and the healthy, in joy and sadness. The risen Christ is present, but we don’t always notice. Receptivity to the Divine is a gift.  May each of us be blessed by the awareness of Christ in our surroundings. 

 

Forgiveness Is Key

“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:12-13 NLT)

I am a skilled grudge keeper. I don’t forget anything, so it is hard for me to overlook bad behavior. I keep a tally of wrongs committed against me and charge interest. Needless to say, forgiveness does not come naturally to me. When I do feel merciful to anyone who has hurt me or my loved ones, I know the source is supernatural. It is as miraculous as if I, a short person who can barely jump a few inches off the ground, were to suddenly develop the ability to slam dunk a basketball. 

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness." (Corrie Ten Boom)

While suffering is universal, individual responses vary. There are those who become sensitive to the vulnerability in others and develop more compassion and empathy. However, some people turn bitter and resentful in the face of adversity. They blame others for their troubles and feel the need to spread pain. Their experiences seem to trigger a covetousness for more of everything. Forgiveness is the key difference between these two paths. It is the antidote to the poison of resentment. It unlocks the shackles of hatred, bitterness, and selfishness. Like all other graces, it is a supernatural gift. 

Father, forgive us and help us to forgive others.

Million Little Miracles

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV)

A year ago, a friend had a liver transplant after years of battling cancer. He is doing well now. In a recent message, he mentioned the song “Million Little Miracles” by Maverick City, and how it resonated with him. Below is an excerpt of the lyrics and a link to the song: 

“All my life, I've been carried by grace

Don't ask me how 'cause I can't explain

It's nothing short of a miracle I'm here

I've got some blessings that I don't deserve

I've got some scars, but that's how you learn

It's nothing short of a miracle I'm here

I think it over and it doesn't add up

I know it comes from above

I've got miracles on miracles

A million little miracles

Miracles on miracles

Count your miracles

One, two, three, four, I can't even count 'em all

You held me steady so I wouldn't give up

You opened doors that nobody could shut

I hope I never get over what You've done

I wanna live with an open heart

I wanna live like I know who You are

I hope I never get over what You've done

It's not coincidence and it's not luck

I know it comes from above

I've got miracles on miracles

A million little miracles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viiw6tGimHo

As I listened to the song from my friend’s perspective, I realized all the million little miracles that I take for granted: 

Every working cell and organ in my body, every hair on my head, eyebrows, eyelashes. 

The ability to eat, digest, and eliminate waste naturally. 

The health to walk, run, sleep, drive, talk, write, read, clean, cook, work, and take care of my loved ones. 

The capacity to go outside and see the birds, grass, trees, clouds, sky, ponds, and creeks. 

The blessings of food, a working car, a home, privacy, and safety. 

Too many miracles to count...

Even in the darkest days, God does not abandon me. 

I am held and carried by grace. 

Not because of my merit, but because of God’s goodness. 

Not because of luck or coincidence, but by Divine intervention. 

Not because of the intensity of my faith or the consistency of my prayers, but because of the sacrificial love of Christ. 

What is impossible on my own, becomes possible with God. 

I’ve got miracles on miracles, a million little miracles. 

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