Arise, Shine!

This morning I cried in the shower. On my knees. Hands out in prayer.

“Lord, what do you want me to do?!”

I’d been online for only 15 minutes this morning, and was already overwhelmed by the plight of humanity, sputtering inside trying to resolve the course of action I was to take that would make a difference.

Very clearly the answer came…focus your heart: first on God, second on family, then third on your outside missions.

The chaos isn’t going to change any time soon, unfortunately. This world is “going to hell in a hand basket,” as the idiom goes.

If my heart is not settled in Jesus, the one who’s already defeated sin, then I am no good on any fronts I attend to.

Leaving the shower this morning, here was my heart’s cry:

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10 NIV)

I was reminded that our spirits will sputter when we are tuned into the world. Steadfastness comes when we are intentional about our focus.

Here now is the charge, dear Friends:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV)

Arise! Shine! Walk in the Abundant Life that Jesus died for us to live. Cast aside the fear and worry. Lay your heart aches and pain at the foot of the Cross, and be free!

Grace and Peace, Friends! You are seen, known, and loved.