Devotionals

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I was off to a great start - a goal, to get to my office by eight am. I rushed out of the gym, hair still damp underneath after a much needed exercise session! My attitude seemed great as I drove to the post office to get my business mail. A parking spot near the front of the building was available- I was thankful and considered it a little gift to me, as so often they are taken. I quickly got out of the jeep and noticed a dear woman I hadn't seen in a while coming out of the post office. We exchanged hellos and right away I began to ask her how she was - she survived breast cancer and I was delighted she looked so great! We talked longer than I had anticipated- I realized my great start to a discipline I needed to establish for new fall hours was going to involve more time management . In a hurry, I dashed toward the main entrance and had almost walked partially through the doors at an angle before I noticed that there was a couple of people standing back from the double doors that led into the post office. What caught my eye was not their faces but the hand gestures of the two of them - both of them somewhat waving their arm to perhaps indicate to one another that they desired for the other to enter in first. Without thinking, I stopped halfway through the door and looked back and being my friendly self practically through the door, motioned for them to come through with me and then hurried to my mailbox. As I stuck my key into the lock on my box, my back turned to the both of them, I heard one of them mutter under their breath something about respect. The other voice then muttered as well, with a tone of disgust I might add, something about respect as well - interesting I didn't hear anything else. I gathered my mail without saying anything or looking toward either of them, feeling wounded and misunderstood. I said a quick, silent prayer to the Lord to help me let it go when I returned to my jeep. When I arrived at my office ten minutes later, I was still stirred up thinking about the incident. I sorted through my mail and still couldn't escape the heavy feeling. I'm a respectful person, I thought to myself . Those people don't know me. Why didn't they just speak to me if I offended them- my intention wasn't to mock them? I was friendly for Pete sake. I shuffled through some paperwork for a bit, but again noticed that my mind was still processing the scene at the post office. I bowed my head at my desk and prayed again- this time in quiet. I confessed my thoughts to the Lord of feeling misunderstood and partially angry at being accused of not being respectful. I knew the Lord knew my heart. I believed He would assure me that I was loved as always. I didn't need to allow my emotions to run my day. The Lord has been faithful in my life to help me understand that I have a choice to let emotions drive me or let faith drive my emotions . However, instead of just the assurance I wanted, a question was impressed upon my heart as I sat quiet - intent on listening for His voice. The question was this - child, what is your greatest concern at this time? Is it about what these people think about you, or is your concern about what I think about you? I remained still, conviction overwhelmed me. I absolutely knew and believed He loves me beyond measure - that was settled as He took my punishment on the cross and there is no greater love than that. The truth in my situation was I was wrapped up in myself and not wanting to have anyone not like me - even those I don't know. I immediately repented and expressed my gratitude of His grace. He changed my thinking right away on the two individuals who I didn't know by face or name. Once I got myself off my mind, I thought about respect. My heart would not have purposely shown disrespect, but if it was in anyway unintentionally displayed by my action, I was bothered . The world is already so full of mockery, disrespect, hatred, and the list goes on. I was prompted to pray for these people. I didn't know them, but God did and I knew I was called to be different in Christ Jesus. I asked the Lord to bless both of them . My anger toward them left and my heart was at peace. I no longer fixated on who was right or wrong. Jesus took care of the wrong.

Things to ponder:
We like to be right, don't we? It isn't natural for us to want to love someone who isn't nice to us or may seem offensive to us whether we know them or not - but if we belong to the Lord Jesus, he set the example for us. When the Holy Spirit asks us a question, it penetrates and stirs us, causing us to look within and listen to Him. So often, deep within me He whispers a scripture found in Luke 10:27 - "Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to love you and others with your agape love - we can't do it on our own. We need you to do it through us. We don't deserve your unconditional love, but you gave it and we choose to receive it! Thank you for your mercy and grace- nothing else compares.

What Is Your Greatest Concern

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