Scripture: Hebrews 6:7-8
The ground receives a blessing from God when it drinks up the rain that regularly comes and falls on it and yields a useful crop for those people for whom it is being farmed. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it’s useless and close to being cursed. It ends up being burned.
Thought for the Day: The first house Donna and I purchased had a steep hill in the backyard. Mowing was very difficult, and it often left me frustrated and exhausted. After a couple of years, I decided to cover the entire hill with ground cover. I started in sections, and it went surprisingly well. The ground cover, a type of vinca, begin to spread as I had hoped. After the entire hill was covered, I stood back and pridefully enjoyed my accomplishment. But it wasn’t long before other grasses and weeds begin to appear, pushing out or even killing the vinca. For the vinca to do what I wanted it to do required regular maintenance and care. Our spiritual lives require regular work, and though God provides the sustenance and growth for which we desire, there is still the personal responsibility of living a disciplined life that includes prayer, study, silence, etc. If we do not continue the necessary care of ourselves, the thorns and thistles will return and begin choking out the healthy growth that has been gifted to us.
Prayer: Guide me, O Giver of Growth, to those disciplines and practices that will allow me to better tap into your grace and mercy. I yearn to know you and serve you, yet a passive approach will leave the soil of my soul full of weeds. Show me one thing I can do today that will strengthen my relationship with you. Amen.
BEGINS TODAY
