Pause . . . There is Power in a Pause
Minute Meditation – What Do We Expect?
Despite knowing from the onset that following Christ means two sure things—God is ultimately in charge, and nothing we can say or do will prevent God’s plan from being successful in the end—we have certain expectations, even certain demands, for the way things should go. Sometimes, even when we know these two constants, we find ourselves on the road to the kingdom but instead of being filled with joy, we’re frustrated and disappointed. Often we discover that our hopes are not of the kingdom at all, but of our own creations and fantasies. If we want to follow Jesus, we must let go of our hopes and expectations, our visions for the future, our demands for the present, and remain radically open to what God is doing right in front of us.
—from the book Let Go: Seven Stumbling Blocks to Christian Discipleship
by Casey Cole, OFM, page 20
Today, You Have a Choice
Daily Devotion – Our Plans vs. God’s Plans
“The plans of the heart belong to a person, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord … The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:1, 9 NASB
The Bible encourages us to plan but also warns that the planning process has limits. In fact, in the space of a few verses, Proverbs provides two perspectives on planning, using two different Hebrew words.
First, the “plans of the heart” do belong to us. The Hebrew word here refers to making arrangements and preparing. It can be easy to try to arrange our plans based on our thoughts and desires to achieve the results we want.
But the Bible reveals that God wants us to realize that our understanding has limits. We can make plans without seeking Him or considering His insights. Ultimately, we must trust Him to guide us.
The second kind of plan involves weaving or fabricating, as we seek to weave events together to produce the outcome we desire. But in the end, we must realize that God directs our steps. We can be frustrated unless we depend upon Him. We must realize that all our efforts are futile without His blessing.
Today, remember that God gave you His Word to be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). He is with you, right now – ready to give you wisdom. Seek to be a good steward, wisely using the time and opportunities He provides. Always remember the limits of your plans. In the end, trust Him to direct your path.
Prayer
Father, I commit these projects to You: _______. I seek Your plans. I trust You. Give me Your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Proverbs 16
//Inspiration Ministries//
Minute Meditation – God Hears Our Cries
What startled me over and over in so many of the psalms is the emotional contrast. First there’s often a lament, not sugar-coated or minimized, not swept away or judged. Instead, the suffering is eloquently described. For example, the early lines of Psalm 69: “I am wearied with crying out, my throat is sore.” Guilt, shame, reproach, and bitterness follow. Then, a but appears. “But I lift up this prayer to thee.” Over and over I found these sudden reversals. How did they make sense? After a few months of a daily morning practice, I understood the pattern. I would read many lines of anguish. Once the painful truths are expressed, in detail, not rushed, there’s a sense of being deeply heard and listened to—heard by God. Once that internal, intimate ache is honored, we find space in our heavy hearts to move around. We can take that leap of faith and trust, again and again. What the psalms began to teach me is to stay true to my human grief, to articulate it, to bring the fear and frustration straight to God. By doing that, faith will appear, often suddenly, always the balm we have been seeking.
—from the book What Was Lost: Seeking Refuge in the Psalms
by Maureen O’Brien
//Franciscan Media//