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1 Corinthians 1:27-28a – But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things. (NIV)
While walking my dog this morning, I noticed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of earthworms scattered all over the street. This is a common sight when heavy rains force these little creatures out of their water-filled burrows to seek oxygen. Most people will wrinkle up their noses in disgust as they try to avoid stepping onto the slimy-looking little carcasses.
But I am not like most people, because I felt sorry for them. As I saw one moving, I picked it up and placed it on the nearest lawn, hoping that it might have the strength to wriggle into the soft earth and carry out the purpose for which it was made: to aerate the earth. Then the vital water of life would be able to reach the new seedlings and nurture them as they grow into strong, useful vegetation.
You might wonder why I would bother to take the time to do this. The simple fact is that I believe that God has a plan for every creature that He has created, even the lowly earthworm, to fulfil His purposes. As simplistic as my thinking might seem to most people, I have to admire these tiny bits of God's creation, for they are there for us.
Were it not for the process of erosion, of which earthworms form a part, our earth would be a hard, dry ball, into which water and the roots of growing plants would not be able to penetrate. With no green vegetation, there would be no fresh supply of oxygen to sustain life, and our earth would become a desert. Earthworms give their lives that our planet might live, as vital links in the chain of life.
Suddenly, I was reminded of another sacrifice.
Over two thousand years ago, many people looked with disgust upon the bleeding form of a man stumbling and crawling over the earth with a cross on His shoulders. "Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not" (Isaiah 53:3b NIV). He, too, gave His life that we might live. Were it not for His willingness to carry out God's plan and purpose, despite the cost, our hearts would remain as hard and useless as dry clods of earth, and would eventually become deserts, producing nothing.
Prayer: Father, help us to see Your hand in the smallest, seemingly insignificant things of life that happen to us every day. So often, You speak in a still, small voice, and we are too busy to notice or hear Your whisper, while You are telling us that the place where we are standing is holy ground. Amen.
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Saturday, May 18, 2024 – In North Africa — Living in North Africa we get so used to hearing the call to prayer it becomes like background noise and sometimes I don't hear it anymore. I am challenged by the fact that some Muslims are so committed to pray that they go to the mosque 5 times a day. Would you consider, with me, setting your alarm to go off at 3:00 every day and pray for these three things: 5 families to come to know Christ, 3 people for us to read scripture with,1 new church plant.
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Very interesting and well applied.
Excellent message.
Thank you for today’s message.
Very powerful and yet the simplicity of the Good News of Jesus and God’s merciful love, Sharon! Keep up the sharing. Blessings.
Thank you for the inspiring devotional Sharon. It never ceases to amaze and humble me how intricately this old world works. There certainly can’t be a watch without a watchmaker!…mosquitoes now…
Hi: Loved your devotions today. Funny I was thinking of earthworm for fishing… so they have more than one use.
Blessings.
Amen!! I too, pick up the little creatures and move them to safer ground; also take any spiders, bugs or flies that get into the house and release them back into nature. And you’re right. There are those who would mock me, but your devotional says it all. Thank you.
Dear Sharon;
Your devotional this morning touched my heart. Thank you for sharing and reminding us that even the most insignificant, like the worm, has a God given task to perform. May we look at ourselves, as well?
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for the devotional this morning. And I agree, even if it is by way of saving and earthworm, anything that reminds us of the sacrifice our Saviour made for us is an acceptable jog to the memory.
Blessings.
Dear Sharon:
I was blessed by your devotional this morning. Thank you.
How amazing these little things can be. I’ve had a new family member born under 2 pounds. As he grows we are so astounded at God’s handiwork.
Hands fascinate me, fingers not big, but capable of holding a man on a mountain ledge. The dexterity of something so common, I’m like a baby watching them move.
May God bless your day.
Good morning Sharon,
I want to thank you for today’s devotional. You made me feel normal today, because like you I feel so sorry for them and share your thoughts. I always wondered if anyone else even shared my thoughts. Now I know.
The devotionals are sometimes the only “spirituality” I get in my day other than my prayer time. I read them first thing when I get to work. I feel like I am connecting to another brother or sister in Christ. I thank God for all of you ‘devotionalators’.
God bless you dear sister and watch your step… on your morning walks after a life giving rain fall.
Thanks Sharon.
Sharon, Well said. After this morning’s deluge, the earthworms emerged from their earthworks to the delight of the Robin population. Blessings.
Just read the earth worm devotional. So true. How glad I am we don’t have an arogant king but a lowly servant that loves. I was on twister alley and shall the devastation the world hands us and the fortitude and kindness that God has filled is people w/. His love is overwhelming. God bless.