And Reasons Lead to… (#331 of 365+)

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:6)


Yesterday Joni talked about how one of the reasons God allows us to go through difficult circumstances is because it helps mature our faith in him. However today she urged her readers to not focus on some thing—like the “benefit” of suffering—but rather to look to Someone. To look to Jesus Christ, the reason I’m alive and the reason for this season in my life. To allow every experience I have today to be enriched by the Holy Spirit living in me. To search every moment for the deeper lessons about his grace, mercy, and love.

“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books” (2 Peter 1:5-9 MSG)

There’s a dumpster near my home that’s so full of garbage that it’s spilling over onto the sidewalk. People inexplicably continue to pile on their offerings rather than look for another dumpster. It’s overflowing with the stench of rotten food, stale beer, and dirty diapers. It’s disgusting! Well, the apostle Paul said that “everything” he used to esteem became like dumpster garbage to him when Jesus Christ became his Lord (Philippians 3:8-9). He couldn’t think of a better investment of his life—no matter what the cost—than getting to know his Lord better and better every day.

Lord, as Joni said, make me more “heaven-hearted” today. Amen.