Good morning, brothers and sisters.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 3:12, “So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?’”
Today is one of those days where the schedule and timing of activities has little wiggle room. Since last fall, our daughters have been preparing for their dance recital, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday. This week is unique in that the rehearsals take place at the actual auditorium of the recital, and practices are condensed and ordered one directly after another to allow for each group to run through their dance several times. For us today, we have a tight window to transition from the normal routine of a Thursday to the time-sensitive schedule of rehearsals. And creating this pickle is the fact that one daughter has to get from class in one direction, back to home, and then to the auditorium in the opposite direction, all in the absolute minimum possible time to make it to her set practice. I have the utmost confidence that things will fall into place and all will be where they should when they should. She is less certain. And it makes me wonder if her doubts arise from her age, her DNA, or some other source. If it was simply her age, then I’d expect all the older Christians I encounter to have complete confidence and unfailing assurance that God can and will take care of things. But that’s not what I see. Some are peacefully hopeful and expectantly content, but many fret and worry over things that don’t even deserve a second thought.
So perhaps it’s DNA. But that would make it highly unlikely that one from the doubting camp would ever cross over to know the rest of trust and surrender. But too many worriers have found freedom in letting God be God in every part of their lives. So what is it? I’d call it unbelief. Although some new believers are ignorant of God’s capacities, the vast majority of those who do not trust are fully aware of who God is, but they will not internalize it for their daily life. At their core, they do not believe that God will sufficiently show up. Such unbelief is unfortunate in many ways, but can have eternal implications if it still lingers as eternity approaches. So let the wonder be not if God will, but let it be in how much more He did than you expected.
As we seek Him today, repent and seek forgiveness if you are one who chooses to doubt or worry. Realize in your heart how deeply God cares for you, and then let Him.
Have a trusting Thursday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
