Driving home tonight, I noticed all the yellow daffodils blooming. I love daffodils, they’re so cheerful and they make typically ugly places like parking lots and street medians so pretty. Springtime is my favorite, I love it when all the flowers pop out and the backyard frogs start their evening chorus. I love seeing all the new growth after a winter of grey.
I’ve read a few devotions this week that have challenged me to grow spiritually in a new way. I’ve been taking a closer look at what makes me, “me” and if all these parts and intricacies of what makes up my personality – if these parts are all reflecting Jesus.
Sometimes I think our best qualities can also have a negative side. Like if someone is super with details, they might also have trouble with being overly critical. I like being super logical and reasonable – I like to bring things back to reality. Maybe even to the point of being a pessimist sometimes. And while being logical is a good quality, this thinking can limit my kingdom outlook if I’m not careful. Like, I get that Jesus can bring the dead back to life, but do I expect it? I know he can put a new river in the desert, but do I pray it? Your kingdom come, your will be done…
God does all sorts of crazy things in the bible. If we think that we come up with a good ideas, God’s ideas are even crazier – feeding thousands with a few fish kind of wild. In the scripture I’m journaling in Matthew 16, I’m reminded that I have to give up my own way and follow Jesus. I don’t want my logical side to limit my prayers and participation in the work God is doing.
I serve a God who is constantly at work, and I know that if I give Him these parts of myself that need work, I’ll get them back in a way I can’t even imagine. He has the best ideas, after all. So, here, I’m journaling about letting go and blooming. Do you have things you need to release to the Creator? Dear God, there are parts of me that I need to give to You. My humanity can get in the way of Your plans. I give these parts to You so that they can be made into something new and I can bloom with new growth. Amen.
Thank you for joining me here today, friends. <3, Cristin
