Living in response to God

I just love my devotional by Sarah Young, Jesus Calling. 

I am visiting family. Many times being around my family can bring up many emotions I haven't felt for so long. Childhood memories, raw feelings, and my selfish tendencies often are revealed around those I love the most and feel the most comfortable with. 

I needed a bit of solitude this morning to just sit and soak in a little Jesus and encouragement. 

I was led to today's reading in Jesus Calling:

"Knowing that your future is absolutely assured can free you to live abundantly today. I have prepared this day for you with the most tender concern and attention to detail. Instead of approaching the day as a blank page that you need to fill up, try living it in a responsive mode: being in the lookout for all that I am doing."

I loved this. Often on vacations I get stressed trying to visit with everyone I love, have meaningful conversations, and do all the "fun" things I want to squeeze in. It can get exhausting dealing with unmet expectations and family dilemmas when your goal is that "perfect" vacation. 

I love the idea of living in responsive mode to life. It frees me to stop worrying about things that do not matter and start waiting on God. Living this way reminds me to be ready to respond to people who need love or encouragement. It allows me to stop trying to control and organize my days. It helps me to trust God with my life, my future, and my circumstances. 

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline". 
 2 Timothy 1:7

"Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."

2 Timothy 1:12

I love that Paul writes these encouraging words as he is being persecuted. He declares that despite any circumstance he knows that God is able to guard what he trusts to him FOR THAT DAY. He trusts God with his daily life- the details. I love that. 

I also love that he says through the spirit we have access to power, love, and self-discipline. When life throws us a curve ball, when someone deeply offends or hurts us- we have the ability to respond to these moments with power, love, and self-discipline. What freedom and peace The Lord gives his children! 

I was encouraged this morning to read these words that The Lord guided me to. I am thankful for his peace and joy and that he readily gives it to his thirsty kids. I needed to be reminded that through him I can fully live in the moment and not worry about things going bad- but rather wait for opportunities to love others and show the grace and truth of God! 

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