Back in Business (Devotional)

 

I am honored to have talented fellow author Jo Huddleston as a guest on my blog today sharing a wonderful devotion about God’s sustaining power in our lives…

Back in Business

By Jo Huddleston

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every work.  (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV)

Relaxing in my den one July afternoon, I glanced out the window to discover my colorful impatiens weeping for attention. The scorching heat had drained the tiny flowers and leaves into withering ugliness. Choking in the high humidity, the flowers begged for their daily watering I’d missed yesterday and today

Pushing fatigue aside, I rushed outside to their rescue. I let the garden hose’s thin spray gently cool the plant, drench its soil and soak deep around its roots. I continued until the hanging basket overflowed, water splattering to the parched ground below.

After supper I checked on the impatiens. To my delight, the flowers that had drooped their heads near death a few hours earlier now perked up like it was the cool of an early spring morning. They’d become their old selves, displaying vivid colors as proudly as ever before. They were back in their business of adding beauty to their surroundings.

I was reminded how the same thing can bring us down in our Christian living. If we neglect our commitment to God, even for a day or two, we give Satan the opportunity he’s waiting for to destroy us. When we don’t do daily Bible study, meditate with God, spend time in prayer with Him, we are neglecting necessary maintenance of a Spirit-filled life.

Just as I didn’t care properly for my impatiens, if we don’t tend our relationship with God on a regular basis, we’ll have to start a rescue procedure. We’ll have to renew our efforts, get back in a balanced lifestyle with Christ.

But it can be done. My withering impatiens revived when they received what they needed. They again burst forth, fulfilling their purpose of creation.

Without God’s daily sustaining power, we will fall short of God’s purpose us. We will wilt when facing temptations and disappointments. We can actively pursue His direction by listening to His voice through the Bible, through prayer, and through fellowship with other believers.

We don’t have to spend our days in wilting uselessness for God. God can refresh us. He still provides our needs daily just as he did for the wondering Israelites following Moses’ leadership. His grace is sufficient for us. Then like my flowers, we can be back in business with God, living as he intended. Are you depending on God’s grace to provide your needs? Are you seeking His grace daily?

—–

Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author of books, articles, and short stories and teaches at writers’ conferences. You can visit with her at http://www.johuddleston.com.