What if you wanted to see the hidden joys today?
“I have a friend who . . . can see joy. . . . When he shares his experiences, he tells about the hidden joys he has discovered.” Henri Nouwen
“[T]he blind man said, ‘I want to see.’” Mark 10:51
utterly beyond
You can try really hard to box God in, but it’s a lot more fun to enjoy that you can’t.
“Let my soul rejoice in Thy mysterious greatness. . . . Thou art utterly beyond . . . the sweep of my imagination, beyond the comprehension of my mind. . . .” John Baillie
“Stop striving, relax, let go and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
an invitation to joy
What if do-not-fear were an invitation that you could accept (or not) -- just for today?
Father, just for today, I choose to accept your invitation. Fear-filled thoughts will have to wait until tomorrow.
“Do not fear (today).” Isaiah 41:13 (parenthetical added)
heart of stone
When your heart is hard as stone toward somebody, you can either keep dragging all that weight around or you can change.
Father, I am finally tired of my hard heart toward ______. Please give me a soft heart, one thought at a time.
“God says, . . . ‘I will take away your heart of stone and give you a soft heart. . . .’” Ezekiel 36:22, 26
turn to God
When you’re feeling afraid and powerless, the most important thing is which way you turn.
“[The king] was afraid . . . and said, ‘We are powerless . . . and we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You.’” 2 Chronicles 20:3, 12
“There is always some level at which we can choose, freely, to turn to God or to turn away from God. . . .” Dr. Gerald May
fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: if _____ happens, I won’t be okay (emotionally or financially or whatever). Now imagine letting go of _____, just for today.
Lord, carrying this thing is making me sick and tired. I give it to You today.
“Give every worry to Him. . . .” 1 Peter 5:7