Daily Devotional

Where do you go when you need to get away? I’ve always loved to go to the movies. I find when life starts to overwhelm, I can immerse myself in a story that helps me forget, for awhile, the pressures of everyday life.

As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever!
Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord,
or show forth all his praise?
Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times!

-Psalm 106:1-3

One of the great temptations of life is to think that we can do it all by ourselves. It is true that working with others can be a struggle. We don’t always see eye to eye with one another. Our differences can drive a wedge between us. The frustration we experience with others, even those whom we love, can often push us into solitude.

Our world is a rapidly changing place. We are constantly being bombarded with new innovations, exciting inventions, and different events that make our news channels operate twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

My youngest daughter is participating in the “Little Olympics” this week. On Monday, the coach reminded the students that they needed to drink lots of water this week so they would be well hydrated for the outdoor games on Friday. They wanted the young athletes to drink now and not wait until the last minute to drink water. When they are thirsty, they need to take a drink of water. This helps their performance and keeps them from getting sick in the heat.

When I was 19 years old, I moved from Nebraska to Edmond, Oklahoma to go to college at the University of Central Oklahoma. I left my entire family in Nebraska and was six hours away from the support system I had always had right at my fingertips. As the fifth child of six, I remember feeling excited for this new chapter and ready for a fresh canvas of my own where I wouldn’t constantly be known as “so and so’s younger sister” everywhere I went.

The work of Jesus on the cross was a blessing that opened our eyes to new possibilities, freedom, and the gift of life, abundant and full. Jesus himself said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus offered the gift of forgiveness to all.

And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.