It’s comical how God puts things in front of us when our hearts need it the most. Have you seen Him do that in your life recently? Well, He’s doing it for me this morning and all I can do is laugh. I know how much He loves me but moments like this when I determine a theme for today’s devotional ahead of time and sit down to write it as I’m personally experiencing this truth of God…well, He must REALLY love me to want me to sit in this truth with you this morning. I pray someone else feels that “woah, God” though this morning too, knowing just how loved you are and that this theme today is not by accident but because God wants better for us than we know to want for ourselves sometimes.
I woke up to a storm raging this morning just before 2AM. Our two year old and golden retriever ran into our room seeking comfort meanwhile our 3 month old was sleeping like a baby, no pun intended. I rolled over to my nightstand to check my phone to see what time it was and saw an alert for a very unpleasant email. An email that frankly angered my righteous spirit, which by the way is God given, if I’m allowed to be so honest.
God gave us our emotions and He made us in His image. He created us desiring justice because He is a just God. Here is the part where we are invited to be more like Him, we have to love others and trust that it is His job, not mine, to judge. I am responsible for how I interact, how I love, how I stand up for myself and my convictions in love. I am not responsible for trying to get others to act in any particular way. That is not mine to touch.
So, feel the feels. Let yourself feel angry and hurt at 2AM in the morning but then quickly give it to God. He is all knowing, all seeing and all loving. He provides our daily bread and meets us in our desire to trust Him. Surprise the person who offended you or wronged you with compassion. Don’t be a doormat but be compassionate. Let God do His thing by only controlling what is yours to control. In this case, how do we respond not forgetting what has been done but in a way that shows love.
God’s presence in us is powerful. He is a just God. How might God use the tension we can feel in situations like this for so much more good than there may have been if the less than ideal situation never took place? He takes broken things and makes them so beautiful and He has not forgotten you. He is just, remember that next time you have to stand tall and show compassion. Not looking to convince someone to show compassion towards you but taking the situation where it is and responding in a way that honors the Lord. Because, afterall, our relationship with the Lord, listening to how He is asking us to engage with one another, is all that truly matters.
Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go.” Joshua 1:9 NCV
Britt Goff #wheatfulwednesday