Monday, May 20, 2024

We are told that God works best in our lives when we are at our weakest, like molding silver in the heat of the fire. Like many others, I can attest to this truth. Years ago, when my first husband, the father of my children, told me he wanted a divorce, it brought me to my knees… then I looked up. I found that in order to be a blessing to others, I needed to first seek God and then, through his grace, look within.

At first, as I went through the process of maturing in spirit, I thought I was rediscovering our Father. Then I realized I was discovering who God is for the very first time. God gives us the opportunity of a new, fresh life walking with him. I am now truly reborn of the Spirit, no longer in Adam but now in Jesus Christ. When we live through God’s strength and grace, sin is no longer our master.

Romans 6:14
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Over the years, I ruminated on the “what ifs”, wondering how things would have turned out if I had been in relationship with God while married. The devil works on our past sins through condemnation, guilt, resentment, and bitterness. God, on the other hand, convicts — he does not condemn. He convicts to show us our sin, so we can confess and return to him (repent). Living under God's grace brings our sins to light.

Leonard Cohen’s song, Anthem, speaks to this truth about God:

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in

Our brokenness reveals our need for a Savior. Jesus is able to shine through the cracks in our hearts and fill us with light.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”

As the Bottom Line says, “You have the potential to bless or curse in every interaction.” When we love Jesus with all that we are, our hearts, souls, and minds are filled with his light, which we can then spread to others. Praise God for his healing and love!

Questions:
Have you ever taken a moment to assess your relationships with God, your family, and your friends?

Do you assign blame to others when things go wrong, or do you ask yourself, “What could I have done differently?”

Next Steps:
Choose one of your troubled relationships and assess your past responses.

Take the time to look up. Spend time with God, praying and reading his Word regarding your responsibility (“respond-ability”) when it comes to interacting with others.

Prayer:
Father, I am a broken human. Help me to turn to you and focus on the truth, instead of the lies I have been telling myself and hearing from others. Help me to think on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). Help me demonstrate compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12-14) to those I encounter. I place my trust in you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Proverbs 17:17 ESV
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 Today’s post was written by Linda Repka, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.