Category: Devotionals

“I’m so sorry, future self,” I said as I stuffed the Christmas lights into the box and squeezed the lid shut. Ten minutes earlier I was making circles around the tree, neatly organizing the strand of lights as I imagined how happy I would be next year when it was time to decorate. The chatter of our toddler saying, “Mommy” on repeat and him merging in between my legs and around the tree only slightly distracted me from my meticulous goal. Yes, I was gonna be happy next year. 

Then it happened. All of my hard work vanished with the slip of the lights from the middle of the pile in my hand. I watched sadly as my organization unraveled into a jumbled mess. Time and energy stopped me from starting again and so there I found myself apologizing to future me.

And so things happen. Next year it will cost me extra patience and time, but in the grand scheme of life, not organizing a string of Christmas lights is not going to end the world. On the other hand, some of our choices will not be so forgiving. Will our decisions today leave us needing to apologize to ourselves down the road or can we say confidently that we are taking responsibility for our actions and reactions in the present?

We are each given this gift of life and are responsible for how we use it. What’s in the past cannot change but it can be forgiven (thank you, Jesus!). Let’s seize this moment and, with God’s help, do what we can do live with no regrets. 

Last week I did a thing. Eleven years ago I achieved this same goal, but since then it’s been sitting on my bucket list as something I wanted to accomplish at least one more time. After weeks of training, I lined up with thousands of athletes waiting for the start of our half marathon. 

The horn blew and we were off. I had trained on much of the course so I was familiar with and ready to tackle the route. What I hadn’t trained for was the rain and chilly wind that decided to break through our sunny days. The rain turned into a downpour and every attempt to clear my glasses left them smeared from my soaked shirt. We all dodged each other while dodging the puddles. Then I missed and was not only running with soaked clothes but with soggy shoes. And so the bad weather continued for 13.1 miles – on and off, on and off, on and off. 

There were moments I wasn’t sure how I would finish. It was grueling and exhilarating at the same time. High fives and shouts of encouragement from the side lines kept us all moving forward. I venture to guess that others were encouraged, as I was, by the back of a t-shirt which read, “Never give up.” Another read, “Pain is short, the reward is worth it.”

Around mile 9, I saw a girl cheering from the sidewalk. The effort to run five extra steps to clap her outstretched hand was too exhausting so I smiled instead. She instinctively ran up beside me in an effort to encourage. It worked. “You got this. Run. Don’t get tired now. You can do this.” I felt my tired legs speed up.

I prayed. I thought. I remembered my training. I focused on the goal. I watched the mile markers count down as we drew closer to the finish line. With less than 1/2 a mile to go, I felt as though I couldn’t move another step. Then right as I neared the last turn, I read a sign that said, “Remember why you started.” I mustered every ounce of energy I had left to keep pushing forward. 

Then I saw it. The finish line was close. There were hundreds of people cheering us on and telling us we were almost there. And then, just like that, it was over. I did it. We did it. Our pain, sweat and perseverance were rewarded.

Naturally my mind went to Paul’s illustrations (in the Bible) of our life’s race. Paul knew the hope of Jesus and the reward of following Him. He understood that everything in this life, apart from a relationship with Christ, is temporary. He recognized the importance of focusing on the eternal rather than the temporal and Scripture encourages us to do the same. 

We will be attacked by unexpected circumstances but along the way we will also be encouraged by unexpected moments. We are never alone but are surrounded by others who have gone before us as well as those who are running with us. 

Jesus is our prize. He is our reward. Scripture tells us the only way to God is through His Son, Jesus. This is not a popular teaching today as many people declare that all roads lead to God. This thought, of course, is a convenient way to justify one’s actions and clear one’s conscience but it is contrary to the Bible. 

Scripture tells us that everyone will face eternity. And on that day we will hear, “Well done good and faithful servant” or “Depart from me I never knew you.” This is a sobering thought. Our works, our goodness and our morals will not get us to heaven. It’s through repentance and having a relationship with Jesus that brings us to God. 

This race is not always easy but it is worth it.

When I think back to last week, I remember the strange feeling as my adrenaline slowed down and my body stopped running while simultaneously the cold weather took over my senses. My hands were shaky and I could barely use my fingers. But with every memory, there is not one memory of regret.

There were 17,124 people who registered to run. There were 13,303 who started the race and 13,192 who finished.

As you read this, I want to encourage you in your race. Don’t just say you’re going to start. Start! And don’t just start—finish!

If you have started this spiritual journey with Jesus—don’t give up. Hard times are guaranteed, but you are not alone. If you do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior, I challenge you to read the book of John in the Bible. Learn about His life and love for you and let Him change your life.

We will all face eternity but how we run the race will determine how our eternity will play out. 

To all my readers out there…have a wonderful Monday and week ahead. Let’s run and finish well. 🙂

A few verses from the Bible about running the race….

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-26 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore `I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight life a man beating the air.”

I’ve been involved with three yard sales in my life. One when I was about 7, one during college and one two years ago. It’s this last one I want to tell you about. Everyone who has planned one knows the drill. You prepare for days and then you’re up at the crack of dawn on the day of the sell.

This time was no different. We were about to move and we needed to declutter so we geared up and we were ready to go. The kids were helping and we were all excited. Ok, well, as excited as you can be at a yard sale. We had toys, books, furniture, shoes, the whole 9 yards.

The morning was successful but as the afternoon progressed we had more left than we had hoped. We were tired and ready to go home so we decided to put a “free” sign at the road. A few people stopped and looked around but didn’t take much. Then a couple pulled up and started strolling through our belongings. They ended up packing into their car a crib, a high chair, a baby carrier, clothes and a nursing pump. 

It was then that the man began to cry. He shared with my husband that his wife was 8 months pregnant, they had recently moved to the area and he had no job. The day before, his wife had told him, “Our baby is due in one month and we have no crib and no furniture.” He looked at Jake and said, “God remembered me.”

We talked with them for a while then we said goodbye. We’ve never seen them again but I know that day we were blessed as much as they were.

May we all be encouraged today that when we feel forgotten, God is preparing the answer even in His silence and at the right moment – His moment – He will speak. We are never alone. He sees us. He loves us. He remembers us.

I’ve heard the story of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea since I was a little girl. There is so much encompassing this story, but let’s be honest, how often do we jump straight to the miracle part? The wow moment. 

Lately, this story has been coming back to me in full force but God has been taking me to a different part of the story – the struggles surrounding the miracle. For God is in the journey as much as He’s in the miracle. 

I’m a planner and a list person so when my daily and monthly routines suddenly get turned into complete uncertainty, it’s easy for me to fall into survival mode shrouded with stress. If I’m not doing something physical to try to figure things out, my mind is working overtime trying to find a solution. And that is where I found myself two months ago. Stressed. Confused. Frustrated. My husband is so good for me. Somehow in the midst of roadblocks and life’s surprises, he has the ability to stay calm and relax. (I’m still working on this gift.)

Through all of this, I’ve been reminded that the presence of God is beyond amazing in our lives. The miracles and provisions we’ve experienced during this challenging season have been a reminder that we serve the God who sees.

It’s been in this state that God has brought me to the story in Exodus over and over again in recent days/months. 

After the mass exodus of thousands of Israelite men, women and children from Pharaoh’s oppression, we read in Exodus 13:17-18, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.”

At the beginning of their journey, no doubt, they were already experiencing unmet expectations. They were ready to fight, probably emotionally fired up anticipating victory. But God didn’t lead them into battle. He took them another route. He took them a longer way of trekking towards the Red Sea. In retrospect, knowing their tendencies for complaining and grumbling, this could have been the onset of a stirring of discontentment. 

What they failed to realize was that God was working on many levels behind the scenes. With every difficult and exhausting step they took, they were walking out a miracle. Scripture says that God led them with a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night. Verse 22 says, “Neither…left it’s place in front of the people. 

So here we have them, already journeying through different circumstances than imagined, and God directs them to turn back and encamp by the sea. I’m sure emotions were really stirring at this point. While all of this was happening with the Israelites, the hearts of Pharaoh and his officials were shifting. They were regretting their decision to let their captives go and devising a plan to recapture them. 

Fast forward and once again we see God had them turn back and encamp in another place. Even in this, God had a purpose and was confusing the enemy. Finally we pick up the story where the Egyptians are pursuing the Israelites. They realize the danger and their panic turns to complaining – and lots of it. 

Moses then tells them (verses 13-14), “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 

Today I can see how God fought for us. I can see how I took unnecessary stress upon myself when God was simply calling me to rest. So once again, I find myself learning to trust on a daily basis.

I pray this for each of you as well, whether you are walking in the struggles surrounding your miracle or experiencing the joy of the miracle itself, be still in the peace that comes from giving Jesus control of every area of your life.  

I’m back. How I’ve missed this space! I’m sitting at my desk, the kids are in bed and I’m grabbing a few moments of quiet. What a wild ride it’s been the past two months. Here’s a little glimpse of the reason for my absence. We’ve lived out of suitcases, we’ve moved and I survived the first trimester of my fifth pregnancy (pregnancy is not nice to me) all while managing life, ministry and three kids six years old and younger. 

I love that God is in the sweet chaos and He speaks when we listen. I want to share with you one theme that He has been reiterating to me in these months of transition in hopes that it will encourage you as it has me. 

“Just show up. Speak about My goodness and I’ll do the work.”

The task oriented side of me wants to go hard and get everything done at once, but lately I’ve been reminded of my limitations. In these moments of inadequacies, Jesus’ voice of encouragement has brought a deep joy and expectancy in the midst of the exhaustion. God has reminded me over and over of His greatness. When we are weak, He is strong. When we exalt Him, He will draw others to Himself. 

Limitations are not an excuse for passivity but rather an opportunity to depend on Him and a reminder that anything good we do comes from Him in the first place. God gives us daily opportunities not only to recognize His goodness but also to share it with others. And what a privilege it is to do just that! We can trust Him to open doors for us if we are willing to show up and speak. 

The last chapter of the book of Romans has intrigued me for years and this morning I went back to it. On the surface, it doesn’t seem too interesting as Paul is simply sending greetings and closing out his letter. However, when I stop to imagine the daily lives of the people he is addressing, I’m challenged and inspired. Each person is living out their God-given opportunities and they don’t all look the same. Check it out…

1. Priscilla and Aquila – they risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
2. Mary – worked very hard for you.
3. Andronicus and Junias – my relatives who have been in prison with me; they are outstanding among the apostles.
4. Apelles – tested and approved.
5. Tryphena and Tryphosa – women who work hard in the Lord.
6. Persis – another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
7. Rufus – chosen in the Lord.
8. Rufus’ mother – who has been a mother to me, too.
9. Timothy – my fellow worker.
10. Gaius – whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy.
11. Erastus – who is the city’s director of public works.

As I have been reflecting on this theme the past few weeks, I pass on the challenge to you. Examine your season. What opportunities has God placed in front of you? What are you doing with them? I go back to my original thought from God, “Just show up. Speak about His goodness and let Him do the work.” 

We may not know the outcome of showing up but we can be certain of the outcome for not showing up.