Readings for today: Numbers 14:1-15:16, Mark 14:53-72, Psalms 53, Proverbs 11:4
So I missed a day. The combination of Daylight Savings, traveling to Portland, speaking at a missions conference, and returning home for a sermon planning retreat left me no time to sit quietly with the Lord and reflect on His Word. Some days are like that, aren’t they? You wake up late. Rush to get the kids dressed and off to school. Barely get to work on time. You’re already behind. You cruise throughout your day, knocking stuff off your list. You pick the kids up after school. Take them to practice. Hit fast food along the way because you’re going to be at the dance studio or baseball diamond all afternoon and evening. They do their homework in the car. You finally get home and you’re exhausted. It’s called life. And we live it with the pedal down most of the time.
Here’s the thing to remember. God is with you. Every step of the way. He’s with you as you rush to get ready in the morning. He’s in the car as you drive your kids to school or commute to work. He’s there at the office waiting for you. He’s guiding your hands throughout the day. He loves watching your children do what they love after school. He’s giving them wisdom as they do their homework. He’s there when your head hits the pillow at night. Missing a day in your Bible reading or falling behind in your Bible in a Year reading plan has no bearing on His love for you. He is a good Father. He sees your life and understands the pressure you’re under. He’s not trying to add one more thing to your already overloaded schedule.
So yesterday was crazy for me. But I’ve learned over the years how to tune my heart into God no matter what I may be engaged in. Yes, I didn’t get to my reading but I did sense God’s abiding presence in everything I said and did. I had a fantastic time at Portland Christian Center with some friends who have become very dear to me. Preaching at their missions conference was one of the great blessings of my life. I loved meeting their missionaries and encouraging them. Loved spending time with spiritual mentors like Ray and Linda Noah. Loved connecting with my wife as I sat in the lounge at the airport waiting for my flight. Loved re-connecting with Pastor Gary and Pastor Matt at the airport before being heading up the mountain for our retreat. Throughout it all, God ministered to my heart. Encouraged my soul. Stirred an even greater passion in me for what He’s doing in the world. This is the fruit of a strong devotional life and I hope you sense something similar being born in your own life as well.
Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 15:17-16:40, Mark 15, Psalms 54, Proverbs 11:5-6