and we hit the ground running. We had a lot of life to live and only a short timeframe to get things done, and we weren’t going to let any grass grow under our feet. We were free spirits right from the starting gate.
Others of us weren’t really ready to fly from the outset. We needed a little more time to be nurtured and loved, protected in the nest with the rest of our family before we had to be literally pushed out. At that point, we hoped we had developed wings and that they actually would work so we could fly.
God is working in each of us to bring us a certain kind of freedom, the kind that will allow us to one day be reflections of his Spirit, images of him in the things we do and the ways we act. He gives us that freedom whenever we’re ready to embrace it.
Freely project the Spirit of grace and love.
Our truth comes from the Spirit of grace and love. Our freedom is reflected in all we do to project his image onto the world. We are free to share his truth with others and to shine a light on his amazing Spirit. With his arms, he will bear us up and give us wings to fly.
IN THE QUIET OF THE DAY
Lord, I know that with you, I am free to be myself and to be all that you would have me be in this life. Amen.
Knit One, Pearl You!
You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.
—Psalm 139:13-14
If you do any knitting, you’re probably a pro at the different patterns that you can create with just a few simple knit and purl stitches. It’s awesome to see what the variety of wools and fibers can turn into when you’re done shaping and creating something beautiful that never existed before.
The good news is that everything God creates and starts to knit comes out a perfect pearl. You started out as a gem and somewhere within you, a tiny sparkling gem still exists. It was part of the knitting process when you were being imagined. If you haven’t felt like a pearl lately, it might be a good day to do a little digging and see where that nugget of joy really is. Remember that your Savior is the “Pearl of Great Price” and that he redeemed you so that you could come back to him, not just someday, but every day. He made it possible for you to seek his face every day you live.
Remember how valuable you are today. Remember what love went into making you the perfectly beautiful person you have become. You’re his pearl all the time.
Remember you too are a valuable pearl, a pearl made with great love.
IN THE QUIET OF THE DAY
Lord, you have done so much for me and I can hardly take it in. Help me remember that you see me as beautiful so that I can live up to that image as much as possible. Amen.
We’re All in the Same Boat
When Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. A huge storm arose on the lake so that waves were sloshing over the boat. But Jesus was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “LORD, rescue us! We’re going to drown!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?” Then he got up and gave orders to the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm. The people were amazed and said, “What kind of person is this? Even the winds and the lake obey him!”
—Matthew 8:23-27
If you’ve ever been in a frightening storm, gone to a shelter during a hurricane, or had to find a safe place during a tornado, you can probably identify with the disciples as they rolled around on the waves waiting to capsize. Here they are with Jesus, watching the storms all around them, getting scared out of their minds, and they find Jesus asleep.
He had a faith that was bigger than the boat they were in. He had faith that nothing would happen to him because he was on a mission. He rested in knowing his relationship with the Father.
We’re always in a rocking boat when we don’t give up our fear and get more closely connected with God. Let’s plan today to rest in God’s hands no matter what the day brings.
Rest even through the tosses and turns of the day.
IN THE QUIET OF THE DAY
Lord, you are my rock, my strength, and the One in whom I put all my faith. Help me rest in you today, trusting you for every aspect of my life. Amen.
Getting to One More Birthday
So you must carefully do exactly what the LORD your God commands you. Don’t deviate even a bit! You must walk the precise path that the LORD your God indicates for you so that you will live, and so that things will go well for you, and so you will extend your time on the land that you will possess.
—Deuteronomy 5:32-33
We enjoy celebrating birthdays, especially if they are someone else’s. We love the sweetness of traditions filled with ice cream and cake and little birthday songs. We can celebrate and bring the wishes, but only God can actually affect the length of days we get to participate in this dance of life.
How do we know the precise path, the one that will give us the opportunity to live fully and well? Perhaps your Bible doesn’t feel exactly like a road map or even a guide sometimes, but it is. It is because it was written specifically with you in mind, all with the aim of keeping you on the path. Even more, God provided a ready interpreter in the form of the Holy Spirit. He is available all the time to take requests, to help you recall Scriptures that will guide your choices, to lead you to others that will bring you closer to where you’re meant to be.
If you’re feeling somewhat thrown off the track today, get back to the One who will lead you any time you ask for direction.
Discover your path through the Spirit and the Word.
IN THE QUIET OF THE DAY
Lord, I do get off the track and I’m pretty sure I don’t follow your plan precisely. Please help me ask for direction for any step I take so I can live according to your plans for my life.
