Tag: Find joy

HomeTag: Find joy

05
Jun '19

Knocking Down Pins

Posted on Jun 5, 2019 in Devotions | Tags: ,

05
Jun '19
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done . . . (Ecclesiastes 1:9) 
 
The clever lyrics by Sara Groves “Setting Up the Pins” encourages listeners to find joy in the repetitive, routine tasks that sometimes feel as pointless as manually setting up bowling pins over and over again, only to have someone knock them down. 
 
Laundry. Cooking. Mowing the lawn. Life seems full of tasks that, once completed, have to be done again—and again. This isn’t a new struggle but an old frustration, one wrestled with in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. The book opens with the writer complaining about the endless cycles of daily human life as futile (1:2–3), even meaningless, because “what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again” (v. 9). 
 
The writer was able to regain a sense of joy and meaning by remembering our ultimate fulfillment comes as we “fear [reverence] God and keep his commandments” (12:13). There’s comfort in knowing that God values even the ordinary, seemingly mundane aspects of life and will reward our faithfulness (v. 14). 
 
What are the “pins” you’re continually setting up? In those times when repetitive tasks begin to feel tiring, may we take a moment to offer each task to God as an offering of love. 
 
How might you do a task differently today knowing God values it? How does knowing this bring meaning to the mundane? 
 
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving value to the ordinary activities of life. Help us to find joy in the tasks before us today. Amen. 
 
What blessed me about this devotion is so often we can find ourselves frustrated when the ordinary activities of life become mundane. I pray today’s devotion uplifts and encourages you to see it all in a different light knowing God values every task you put your hand to. May we find a new sense of joy in our every day repetitive tasks. 
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is 1 Thessalonians 5:11 

 


28
Feb '18

Growing Gratitude

Posted on Feb 28, 2018 in Devotions | Tags: ,

28
Feb '18
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)

Would you like to cultivate a greater sense of gratitude? George Herbert, a seventeenth-century British poet, encourages readers toward that goal in his poem “Gratefulness”: “Thou that hast given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart.”

Herbert recognized the only thing he needed in order to be thankful was simply an awareness of the blessings God had already given him.

The Bible declares Christ Jesus as the source of all blessing in Romans 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.” “All things” encompasses both the extravagant and the mundane, everyday gifts in our lives. Everything we receive in life comes directly from our heavenly Father (James 1:17), and He willingly gives us those gifts out of His love for us.

To expand my awareness of God’s blessings in my life, I am learning to cultivate a heart that acknowledges the source of all the joys I experience each day, but especially the ones I often take for granted. Today those included a crisp morning to run, the anticipation of an evening with friends, a stocked pantry so I could make French toast with my daughters, the beauty of the world outside my window, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. 
 
What is the “so much” that God has already given to you? Opening our eyes to those blessings will help us to develop grateful hearts.

Take a few minutes to thank God for what comes to your mind right now. Try to do that throughout the day as well.

What a beautiful devotion! Let us do as today’s devotion encourages, let’s take time today to acknowledge the source of all our joys that we experience each and every day, especially the ones we take for granted. This devotion inspires me to see joys in today that I must admit I’ve taken for granted. For instance, I awoke to the alarm going off, why is that a joy one might ask, because I was able to hear the alarm, open my eyes and embrace another day to look after my beautiful family, I have purpose in today. It may seem silly to point out all the sources of joy in your life today but I guarantee the joy’s in your life will far outweigh whatever it is your dealing with and will give you the strength to overcome the lies and whispers of the enemy. You are blessed, You are loved by God. Now, let’s do as today’s devotion encourages, Take a few minutes to thank God for what comes to your mind right now. Try to do that throughout the day as well.

Make today beautiful! 

Today’s Reading is Romans 11:33-36