Wednesday, August 13
- Scripture: Psalm 37:4 – “Take delight in the Lord, and [God] will give you the desires of your heart.”
- Reflection: Connecting to God, being honest about what we need as well as what we want, and letting that honesty flow in prayer, creates a relationship.
Let your whole self be known. And let your whole self shine! We are offering ourselves, and our vulnerability, to Godself. It becomes a source of strength and light, fueled by willingness to connect with the Godself, each other, and the world. Brene Brown tells us, “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
God listens and responds, though the answer may come in God’s own time and in unexpected forms. When we reveal our whole human selves, messy and amazing, we share that radiance. When something you have hoped for comes to pass, when a prayer is fulfilled, when a need is addressed, do you notice? Do you pause and take some pleasure from that fulfillment? Today is a good time to look at the ways that God has recognized your situation and supported and even blessed you.
Who turns on a light in your life? Who shines for you?
Relax into the trust that God cares for you and wants the best for you. And that your life reflects that same radiance and hope and joy into the world. - Spiritual Practice Prompt: Find or turn on a light somewhere in your life today. Let it shine. Focus on it. Imagine that same light burning in you, and emitting from your being. Name your needs and hopes in prayer, then thank God that you are a child of light.
Song:
- Firework by Katy Perry: https://youtu.be/QGJuMBdaqIw?si=936EBbzrKEfSdEsp
Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance. — Roy Bennett
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. — Plato
August 13 Daily Devotional