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Listen while you read: "The King Of Love My Shepherd Is"1 (Lyrics) |
Ouch!
After once again trying to wear my new — but too tight — pair of slippers, I retreated to my comfortable, well-worn ones, thankful for the bit of support that they still had. As I pondered the new, rarely worn, rather tight, plush pair, I reluctantly considered that perhaps it was time to break them in and stretch them!
How similar this is to our Christian walk, I thought!
Do you, too, prefer the comfort zone of the past instead of the challenge of stepping forward to do the Lord's work in perhaps a new or different way? Even in the midst of this pandemic, where we in Ontario have been under a lockdown/stay-at-home order once again, there is still work to do for the Lord! People need to hear the Good News! We can't be out and about as was normal in the past. How, Lord, I wondered, do we move forward, uncomfortable as it may be (like my new slippers) and do Your work?
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (NLT)
We need to seek His word, praying for direction and guidance to do His will. Perhaps we'll be urged to make a phone call, write a letter, send a text message or an email, or even compose a devotional. Is baking your gift to touch someone with God's love? Perhaps, including a Bible verse along with the goodies would encourage someone and give them new hope. Each of us needs to stretch a bit, to leave the old slippers behind, to step outside our comfort zone, and to find new ways to be His hands, His feet, and His voice in this world!
My late husband used to share a solo that was originally sung by The Imperials:
- You're the only Jesus that some will ever see,
And you're the only words of life, some will ever read.
So let them see in you the One in whom is all they'll ever need,
'Cause you're the only Jesus, some will ever see.
– David Will
Point to ponder: Lord, how are You wanting me to stretch and step out of my comfort zone so that You can use me to touch Your world?
Prayer: Dear Lord, we come before You, admittedly preferring the comfortable, but also acknowledging that You know best and will help us to step forward, even when things seem a little tight and new. Give us courage and strength to be Your hands, Your feet, and Your voice, because we know that we're the only Jesus some may ever see! In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks for the good word, Mary Lou.
Dear Mary:
Thanks for the devotional.
Loved your theme. Pondered the theme.
(BC)
Thanks, Mary Lou, for this challenge. And reminding me of the Imperials. I love their music.
Hello Mary Lou,
Thank you. I seem to have remembered that song, so I looked it up, lovely.
Hi Mary Lou,
I enjoyed your devotional on PresbyCan, the Stretch.
God bless.
Thanks for this most encouraging word that I needed to shine the Light and speak the WORD to people more compassionately during this pandemic.
Dear Mary Lou,
It is nice to see your devotional again today. A good one; thanks.
May the Lord bless you.
Dear Mary Lou,
I appreciate the encouragement you have given in your devotion today, a call to stretch and grow in service to our Lord. Blessings for you as you bless us.
Your devotional felt straight from the heart of God, where yours and mine (some, so far) are! Thank you dear, stretching height to height, what joy, after the tears. A sister in Jesus with a long ways to go.
Good morning Mary Lou,
Good to read another one of your devotionals. You are right, sometimes we are just too comfortable with the way things are.
Dear Mary Lou,
Thank you for inspiring us to step up and remember that we are to represent Jesus to others, and it does not have to be a large step, but small steps are just important. Your husband sounds like he was a good Christian, and you made a great pair.
So well said, Mary Lou. I am so hoping that the way I live is a message about the goodness of the Lord.
(Texas)
Here in Texas it truly is a challenge for all these independent souls to continue to wear the masks!!!
Good morning Mary Lou
What an awesome devotional. I can just feel the discomfort and pain of those shoes or slippers. But…we need to put them on.
It is OK to feel uncomfortable when we try to show the love of Christ.
Blessings.
Dear Mary Lou,
Thanks so much for your challenging words this morning, and although baking isn’t my thing, it’s good for today until stay-at-home is lifted.
What an awesome God we serve!
God bless you and thanks again.
Mary Lou, so well said, as I sit alone “comfortably” on my sofa, as I do every morning for over a year now. Since the COVID, I spend more time in prayer asking God the same thing: what can I do for you, as I can see no one? Pray and do what you can. I am with you, seems to be the answer I sense in my heart.
Thank you for putting new words to my morning meditation and God bless you dear sister in Christ,
(Québec)
Good challenge! How can we move out with the Good News?
Many of us are being asked to stretch beyond ourselves and the only way is to ask Jesus to take us by the hand, and sometime even hold us steady as we navigate unknown territory during this pandemic.