Devotionals
Have you ever struggled at being the person God wants you to be?
The lights of the city stretch for miles in every direction. Lives are being led - some filled with joy, others filled with sadness and despair - but life continues both as a mass of millions and as individual specks among many. They have moved here for the climate, to build homes, grow families, and to simply live as they feel they want to live. It is easy to become lost in the shuffle of many. It is difficult to find uniqueness and purpose in the crowded streets and sidewalks. In the midst of it all, what does one life - one light - have to offer?
Have you ever struggled at being the person God wants you to be?
The lines are moving slowly as the morning rush hour slows to a dead stop. Angry drivers; sleepy drivers; drivers with plans; drivers who are bored; drivers upon drivers with destinations unknown. A mass of humanity all going somewhere, all filled with hope, purpose, pain, sorrow, and questions. Enough questions to fill a day. What should I do about…? Should I say something? Should I do something? Is this where I need to go? Where will it lead? What will my life be like tomorrow, the next day, in ten years? Is this all there is to life - sitting in this car, waiting to go but never traveling very far?
Have you ever struggled at being the person God wants you to be?
The restaurants are full, food and beverage flows from font and stove. The clatter of plate and tongue fills the air with a rising din. Sustenance for life sometimes enjoyed but often just swallowed. Grab a bite, drive-ins and fast food, harried waitresses, service slow, food consumed. Hurry, haste, and no time to waste. The basis and sustenance for life; three times each day belted down and swallowed fast, life continues... Nourished? Fulfilled? Sated?
Have you ever struggled at being the person God wants you to be?
The day is done, the lights in homes flicker on, as darkness descends and then off, as sleep is found. The city becomes quiet, televisions come to life for a few hours and then become dark and cold. Daily stories are shared, plans are made, and preparations for another day begin. Sleep arrives for those free of worry and guilt or simply too tired to care. Fatigue washes away and energy is restored. Another day and life goes on.
Have you ever struggled at being the person God wants you to be?
God wants us to listen to His voice and follow His plan for our lives. He wants us to be a light in the darkness so that the world can come to know Him more fully. But the steady beating of life, the daily routines and chores, the tasks of life, oftentimes leaves little time for being that light. Instead of following God we follow the person in the front of the line in which we always seem to be waiting. Instead of hearing God speak we hear only the din of life spinning away around us. Instead of feeling God's presence we feel squeezed, rushed, bustled, and drained. Instead of shining His light, we simply pass through the day. And the days keep on passing, one after another, rarely unique and rarely varied.
Have you ever struggled at being the person God wants you to be?
And then a spark, a smile, and a warm embrace. A friend in the darkness lightens up your day. A celebration of sorts as the moment is shared and grace flows in. Grace you ask, from a chance encounter? But it is grace because it soothes and comforts - it takes the sting from life. Grace shared by a friend? Isn't grace the realm of God? "Grace upon grace," according to John; this is the way of Christ. And then you look into their eyes, friend, deliverer of grace, and you see. You see the Christ, the creator of the universe living within and through. You see the Light and then you come to know that you are not alone as you sit in your car or stand in your line. You have the Christ, the Word. He is in you - caring, loving, and guiding. Your eyes shine as the peace of intimate understanding flows into your heart. Your eyes shine as you feel His love embracing you. And then you step, tentative at first but forward all the same, and the world is a different place. "Shine, Jesus, Shine," you sing to yourself and another light enters the city.
Have you ever struggled at being the person God wants you to be?
Closing Prayer:
Dearest God: You know, Lord, living the life you want us to live is not always an easy thing to do. If nothing else, just by the steady beat of life going on, day after day, we get carried away. Our focus drifts. Our intensions are good but, before we know it, days have passed and we come to realize that we have forgotten to do and act as we should. It is a struggle being the person You want us to be. But then those times occur when we suddenly become aware of your presence. In this awareness, when we truly pause to reflect, we come to understand that you, the Creator of all things, are living inside our hearts. The Christ is alive and well within. Your grace flows and we become aware of your blessings. Lord, we pray that through the knowledge of your love that we always live our lives as you would have us live them. Shine your light into our darkness so that we can reveal the Christ to others. Inspire us to always look to you, follow your lead, and respond to your call for it is in this way we can become the light to the world you are calling us to be. It is through Christ that we pray. Amen.
Inspired by Ephesians 5:8-14 and John 1
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