Corona Devo 3208

At our Bible study the other night, we began the small-group (questions) time by introducing ourselves and then sharing "Something good that happened to us this week".

We heard about double dates, and shopping sprees, as well as watching-World-Cup-soccer-games, and I appreciated the idea (and awareness) of anticipated-joy as a few people shared about things that they were looking forward-to that are going to happen (to them) in the next few days, including a trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park.


What would we say if someone asked us to share about "Something good that happened to us this week"?

What comes to mind?

What comes to heart?

Could we share about something good?  

This might not be a physical-evidence question as much as a heart-question.  If our heart is not healthy, then our gratitude meter (which allows us to measure good things), will be askew.  

If we are not thankful for anything....then it may be that we have to check our (gratitude) heart rate.  

There are very real and undeniable reasons for our hearts to become calloused, and for our joy to be usurped.  The heaviness and hurts and sin of this world can hit us right where it hurts, and "something good" seems far away and for someone else.

And yet...has the sun risen?  Were the stars hung?

Is there a flower in bloom or a baby being born?  

Can we smell the rain, or hug a loved one, or speak openly with the God of the universe?

If any of these miracles are true, (plus a thousand other variables): then something good has happened to us this week.  Are we aware (and can we give glory) to the One who made them happen for us?  

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  ~James 1:17 

Every good and perfect thing we experience and enjoy and comprehend comes down to us from our good and holy Heavenly Father.  It's not luck or coincidence or karma or chance that brings good gifts to our hand and heart--it is God.

Are we grateful to Him today?

~~~

There are also times and seasons when we doubt the Lord's intentions for us.  The "chips are down" or our "luck runs out", or we (for any number of reasons) come to doubt, question, or decide that God does not have "something good" in store to happen to us this week, this day, or this minute.

Our current circumstance, struggle, or pain can cloud our understanding of Who God is and what He is doing.  

Our (negative) attitude can affect our awareness of what (good) God is doing.

But, let's be reminded of the Truth that God is for us, and that He has good and prosperous plans for us 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  ~Jeremiah 29:11

And, if we (as mere and sinful humans) understand love, and the desire to give good things and outcomes to our loved ones...then it should not be so foreign or difficult (or so-easily affected by bad-attitudes) for us to realize that our Heavenly Father desires to love us and give us the best things, beginning with the presence of His Holy Spirit within us.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? (12) Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? (13) If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  ~Luke 11:11-13

The Lord desires to bless and care for His children, and...that's us. 
He is here, and He is near, and He is doing good things in our lives and hearts, but...are we perceiving it today?  

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. (19) See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.   ~Isaiah 43:18-19

Are we grateful for what the Lord is doing in front of us: from nature, to provision...to people?  
We should be.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  ~II Corinthians 4:15

~~~

It could be a roller coaster ride, a pet, a meal, a sibling, a mentor, a new pair of shoes, a goal scored, a hug received, a degree earned.

It could be a sunrise, a wave on the beach, a Joshua tree, a bowl of rice, a silk scarf, a shared joke.

It could be the intimacy with the Lord during our struggle.  
When He held us in our grief. 
When He said "No", and we prayed for "Yes". 
When we didn't get what we really wanted.
When we submitted instead of tantrumming.
When we let God be God, and us be...us.

In the ups, and in the downs of our days and our lives...we should (always) still be able to share "Something good that happened to us this week", because God is good, all of the time.  

 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (12) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (13) I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  ~Philippians 4:11-13 

Blessings,

sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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