Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! What gorgeous weather we are having for this time of the year. So glad for Kurt and friends at the lake. Today I plan to clean and finish decorating for Christmas.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I hope each of us really knows that we are not in control. If we think we are, it is likely God will send us places, people or things that help us know we can’t control. I am reading John Ortberg’s powerful book, Steps, and he shares what he has gone through, acknowledging that we are not in control of even our own lives. In fact, when we try to run the show, it only makes things worse. We all need to admit that we are not fine and cannot manage on our own. Just like the steps of A.A., we are to name our area of need and brokenness, and join others who are willing to share their helplessness. We are all broken people and unable to manage ourselves. It is important that we ask for clarity and see that we need help so we can let go and let God. Ortberg gives the example of the trapeze artists, Flying Rodleighs. Just like the flyer, we must completely trust the catcher. If the flyer were to grab the catcher’s wrists, he might break them. Instead he must do nothing but stretch out his arms and wait to be cght. The catcher is really the star, and with precision grabs the flyer out of the air. The flyer must fly and trust that the catcher will be there for him, just as the Lord will be there for us.

The apostle Paul invited the people in Corinth to see how personally inadequate they were. He says not many are wise by human standards, not many were influential or of noble birth. (I Cor. 1:26) That didn’t bother Paul for he goes on to say, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” I just love this scripture, and I remember how it ministered to my heart many years ago when I was preparing to speak for two workshops at a large conference. I felt so inadequate and fearful. When a team came that was assigned to come to pray for me before speaking, it was the very scripture what was given me…exactly what I needed, for I knew it had to be all the Lord, that “my faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Yes, all of us are inadequate and not in control, but like Ortberg said, “God is bigger than your but…whatever that but is. We might say we are weak and not qualified to do what God is asking of us, but when He calls us His grace is totally sufficient.”

Challenge for today: Think of your weaknesses and fears and meditate on II Cor. 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy