Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 31, 2022
Read Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Good morning! Come to Jesus and find rest!
Our God is an awesome God who blesses us with grace and mercy. Through our admission of our sinfulness and our acceptance of Christ as our Lord and Savior, God forgives our sins and blesses us with the gift of salvation.
How many times have you felt weary from your burdens in your life? I know that I have long ago lost count of my own times of weariness. It’s funny how we start out with a great plan and before we know it, our plan grows out of control and we are filled with anxiety.
First, we must listen and accept the plans that God places on our hearts. Next, when we face challenges with God’s plan, we should turn our worries over to God and focus on the next step. Then, we must work as a team and use all of the gifts that are among the team. Finally, we must not try to micromanage God’s plans. God has this!
That sounds simple enough, but many of us have a hard time truly letting go. We need to fix just one more thing, cut one more string, or move one more piece. Before you know it we have taken one step too many and the plan comes crumbling down around us.
We are called to do all that we can, and then turn it over to God to add the finishing touches. You might be a great cake baker, but decorating is not your thing. You give your delicious cake to the decorator. Later you come in and see a beautiful cake and you marvel at the gifts of the decorator.
You are ready to walk away and you see one small flaw in a stroke of icing and you think, “I can fix that and it will look better.” You pick up the tool (the place is so small that you think you can make it better) and suddenly one small fix continues to grow and the finished product is totally different. Maybe not bad, but definitely noticeably different. Within the divine, God is perfect. We have to walk away, trust in God, and accept that it is time to rest.
Loving and Caring God, Thank You for loving us. We are tired, but we try to continue. Help us trust You and take comfort in the peace which comes from giving our worries to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I can rest with God in green pastures.
Accept God’s plan! Pastor Liz
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