Luck of the Draw?
Have you ever been in a conversation, maybe an impromptu conversation, where after it occurred, you wish you had expanded on it? That happened to me this morning.
Patrick walked up to me and told me that he had edited and sent several devotions to be published, and that one of them really touched him. I thanked him for the feedback and encouragement, and we went on with our morning. As I thought about it, I realized there were several things I wanted to tell him. I looked for him a little later and didn’t see him. I considered messaging him or calling him and then I felt prompted to share some of these things in this devotion (lucky you - that’s sarcasm by the way).
A few days ago, I read a devotion that I submitted. I’m trying to choose my words carefully because there is absolutely no way, at my current faith walk stage, I could have written that devotion. Sure, it contained some of my life experiences and was written in a style of writing that is mine but the heart behind it was much closer to God than I believe I am. After I read it, I stopped and prayed that God would help me to make my heart like that in the writing all the time. I crave a closer faith walk with God and I need the Holy Spirit to take me there.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” - John 14:26-27 ESV
I wanted to share that with you first because my next thought is profound. You see, I’ve shared a good number of things (good and bad) that I’ve experienced and, hopefully, learned from. What I haven’t told you is that if I were to give you a full accounting of my sins, I suspect you’d either be repulsed by me or admire the perception of my rehabilitation. Don’t worry, I’ll likely never share the ugliest sins both in thought and deed that I’ve committed. Being able to imply this is part of my faith walk. The church body is a sin hospital. We are there to strengthen and support one another so that we can go out into the world and make disciples.
“the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” - Romans 3:22-24 ESV
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—” - Romans 5:12
You are what you eat and other sayings - The Disney movie Tomorrowland featured this quote: “There are two wolves, and they are always fighting. One is darkness and despair. The other is light and hope. Which wolf wins? Whichever one you feed.” I’ve mentioned before that I figured out a long time ago that if I try to engage eye contact and smile at people, I get a similar response in return. When you put your energy into positive avenues (such as volunteering to help at church, writing devotions, or singing enthusiastically during the praise time in the service), that positive energy not only helps others but returns to you to help you in your faith walk.
I’ve never successfully journaled. I have tried several times, and I admire people like my late grandmother who journaled every day. However, I see where sitting down and looking for the bright side of life has numerous benefits. The wolf you feed wins.
“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” - Proverbs 15:30-33 ESV
It’s a great day to be blessed by the Lord (to expand upon our church service greeting of “it’s a great day to be in the house of the Lord”
By the way… there is no such thing as luck. However, I pray it got your attention!
