Since the beginning of the year, our six year old Eva, has been reading us a devotion each night at supper from her new book. The book is by Sarah Young and it's called Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids. (We're loving it!) It always starts with a verse and then a little devotion follows. I want to quote from it...
This was the devotion for February 23.
"So let us run the race that is before us and never give up." Hebrews 12:1
It's easy to feel sorry for yourself - especially when things aren't going your way, or you feel like everyone is against you, or you are just plain tired of trying so hard all the time. But feeling sorry for your self is one the devil's favorite traps. Don't even go near it! Once you fall into this trap, it's very hard to get out again.
This devotion really struck me, or perhaps convicted is the proper word. I've read the verse before, I've underlined it and written it on little note cards under the "persevere" tab of my little verse binder. BUT I've never considered self-pity when reading it. The more I consider it, and think about the meaning of "give up" it makes sense to me. If giving up isn't an option, then what use is there to feel sorry for myself? Accept the pruning and use it to allow new, fresh growth.
At the end of the little devotion are two more scriptures for further study. One of those is in Hebrews 12.
Hebrews 12:2-4
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God. If you want to keep from becoming faint-hearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood."
I went ahead and read on through Hebrews 12 and found this verse...
Hebrews 12:12
"So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, and mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves, but become strong."
The thing is, I know there are times when I DO feel sorry for myself. I have tantrums and throw fits and even get angry about the "race that is before us." I want so badly to have control over the way things go. One would think that after all this time and all that God has carried us through, I'd be totally over it, submissive, turned over to Him in faith... but I know and He knows, I'm not. I'm working on it, but haven't arrived to say the least. It's been a long, hard winter for us and I've been feeling weary. Then on Tuesday, we had to say goodbye to our dog, of 14 years, Oreo. I don't think it's coincidence that we read this devotion the day before.
I'm spending lent in study...I'm reading "Unveiled At Last" by Bob Sjogren. It's good, pushing me to think about the goal of our faith. I'm certain this is part of God's preparation, I feel pruned, ready for spring and new growth.
~Angie
No comments:
Post a Comment