Help me get my mind in gear, Father. It’s been running in “low” since getting out of bed. Help me to shift into thoughts of You and what You have for me this day.

James 1:1-4 (<<click here)

My lesson today, Lord, I believe is the upside-down mentality of walking with You. The book of Puritan prayers a dear friend loaned me and this passage has communicated that. A portion of the prayer reads:

Let me find thy light in my darkness,
                        thy life in my death,
                        thy joy in my sorrow,
                        thy grace in my sin,
                        thy riches in my poverty
                        thy glory in my valley.

And then my passage for today reads,

“…when troubles…come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For…when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

The paradox of life with You, Lord, makes no sense to the world. But why follow what the world says makes sense? The world is a mess! I live in it out of necessity but I don’t have to believe how it does. It only yields grief, sorrow, discontent, hatred, strife, and death. All of it is hidden under the glitz and glamor of stuff and shallowness – no thanks!

Following You, though the world deems it odd, yields joy, deep contentment, love, fellowship, and life. Lord, help me to see as You see, to respond as You would respond. May I see life through the filters of Your love.

July 26th, Tue, 6:31 am