Scripture for Today: Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

In our small studio in France, we are learning to live without what we normally take for granted.  We dry our clothes outside, fold up the two chairs to allow for more space when not in use, and close all the shutters to keep cool.  We have no freezer, no oven and no stove top.  Thankfully, we have a microwave!  We are learning to improvise, but perhaps not to the point of grilling meat on an iron!

Today’s verse is a comfort.  The Lord is personally involved in the direction our lives take.  He watches for what is needed.  When asked He gives His counsel in making decisions, and He teaches us which direction to take.  However, He also allows us freedom to choose.  When His direction is clear, we can decide to follow it, or not.  And He also allows freedom and choices when several options are just fine with Him.

If I thought that every choice made in a day was directed by Him, I think I would live in fear of missing it.  But He has given me my mind, my intellect, and my preferences to follow.  When I am in an attitude of submission to Him, I can trust that He will intervene if I am making an incorrect choice.  His goal for me is to become more and more like His Son and He can make that happen in a variety of circumstances.  So if my next step is not so clear, I improvise!  I do not have the script but that OK.

Thank you Lord that I know You, the Author, and how the story will end!

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.

Scripture for Today: Luke 10:40 “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me.”

I like the idea of the Director having his own personal chair.  It is elevated to be above the others and the role is clear.  The director directs.  He tells everyone else what to do.  The first known use of the word “director’s chair” was in 1953 on a movie set.  But the design of the chair can be traced to the fifteenth century.

In today’s verse, it would seem that Martha would be the most likely to have a chair like this.  She is overworked and overwhelmed with preparing the meal for a houseful of guests, including the Lord Jesus.  She is not sitting like her sister, Mary, enjoying her most important guest.  Instead, Martha is standing and distracted by all the work.  Even so, she does not hesitate to direct Jesus.  Martha tells Jesus what He should do to show His care for her.

It seems a bit audacious of Martha to direct Jesus.  But I find that sometimes in my prayers I do the same thing.  In approaching the Lord with my request, I will direct Him on the best way to answer me.  When He does not do it my way, I can doubt His care.  If I really want to understand just how much He cares for me, I need to drop what I think is so important and sit at His feet.  When I do, I am less likely to try to direct Him.

Lord, help me to get down from that chair and allow You to direct me today!

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.