Terri's Wellspring

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  Romans 8:28 NLT

Absolute terms in the promises of God’s Word amaze me.  The “Everything” or in another translation “All things” in this passage is inclusive of every detail of our lives.  He is working the good, the bad, the ugly and the lovely of our lives into usable experiences for our good.  In our thinking, we are not sure how this setback or that bad decision can benefit, who we are in Christ.  But our God is faithful, even when we have failed to heed His word or circumstances beyond our control yield a negative experience. He can take our situations and meld them into an opportunity for growth, maturity and to come higher in our thinking and our ways.  It may be a circumstance that turns our attention more fully to His will and to our purpose.  The result may strengthen our faith and trust in the Lord.  I am so thankful that He can take the “everything” of our lives and weave them into something good.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.  Romans 8:26-28 MSG

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT

Staying connected in any relationship takes effort.  We seek love, support and a deeper level of understanding in the relationships we value most.   We are created as physical, emotional and spiritual beings that are sustained through our connections with God and others.  My relationships through family and friends have blessed my journey in so many ways.  They have brought joy and peace and softened and supported steps even during the most difficult passages in my life.  I am so thankful for these gifts of fellow travelers along life’s path.  So even when miles or emotional distance arise within your circle of family and friends, take the time to reach out and reconnect.  The distance may be a factor of the busy lives that we lead or it may be a time of discouragement for someone you love.  I am thankful for the Holy Spirit that leads us to make a call, send a card or to say a prayer for someone who is not connected.  We can be careful to heed those spiritual nudges to reach out with love and concern.  We can encourage one another to stay on the journey and stay connected.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

A walk by faith may have some legs on the journey where we feel tired.  We may feel bodily pains that are contrary to healing or fatigue in our minds that zaps our zeal for the day ahead.  This passage from Isaiah reminds us to keep our trust in the Lord.  Not in what you see today and not even in what you feel but keep your trust in Him.  He is the source of our strength and a very present help when we need Him.  I thank God for a soaring spirit that comes when we rest in Him.  He will provide new strength, new energy when we put our trust in Him.  We can run and walk and continue on the journey strong.

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
    or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
 He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
    And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 40:27-31MSG  

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has   given us.  II Corinthians 6:1 MSG

All of us received a gift of today when we woke up this morning.  Time is the great equalizer of opportunity for those who can decide how we spend our day.  We each get 24 hours, 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds.  It is a precious gift.  Paul in his letter to the Corinthians encourages us to make the most of the life that we have been given.  God’s grace has allowed this time and place to arrive at our doorstep.  We honor God by honoring His gift of time.  We can approach today with gratitude and thanksgiving.  We can ask and seek God’s guidance about maximizing this moment for His will for our lives.  Turning our full attention toward Him, we can listen carefully without the distractions of noise, busyness and the crowds of people in our day.  Listen and live with intention about where we are and where we need to go.  He knew this day would be here.  He is here to help us to see His vision for this day and the days ahead.  We seek today to honor God with a day well lived and a life focused on Him.