Uncanny the way this works. I was awake much of the very early morning, like 2:30 on, thinking about things I need to get done since Wednesdays are pretty much consumed by childcare. Here’s what Sarah Young says today in Jesus Calling: “Rest in my presence, allowing Me to take charge of this day. Do not bolt into the day like a racehorse suddenly released. Instead, walk purposefully with Me, letting Me direct your course one step at a time. Thank Me for each blessing along the way; this brings Joy to both you and Me. A grateful heart protects you from negative thinking. Thankfulness enables you to see the abundance I shower upon you daily. Your prayers and petitions are winged into heaven’s throneroom when they are permeated with thanksgiving. In everything give thanks, for this is My will for you.” On a similar note, Guidepost magazine has a quote about thanksgiving. It was provided by a reader, Brad Johnston of Shadyside, Ohio, and I thank him for this reminder: “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” Now there’s a thought to ponder.
So this Lenten Wednesday, I am thankful for my family, my home, my ability to read, write, and speak, my relatively good health, my plans for the day, but beyond and undergirding all these, my life in Jesus Christ Who gives me purpose, and utterly life support. Without His guidance and protection, all would be lost.
I read a book this week about the terrible life in North Korea. It broke my heart. I would have given up on it within the first 20 pages except that it was the Book Club read for my group. How terrible to live in a repressive society where the most valuable asset one had was access to a pencil. Imagine. Imagine eating grass and tree bark. Imagine your children taken away from you. Imagine not being educated, and worse, being enslaved by a regime telling you what to think. It kept me awake last night, considering the horror of it all. Then I thought about the families of persecuted Christians, and those unfairly held hostage. 90 Christians captured yesterday and facing a very uncertain earthly future.
Once again, Sarah Young rescues me with scripture: “In everything give thanks, for this is My will for you.” God is sovereign. God is good.
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