God Calling – March 23

As I was working from home today, I remembered a devotional my dad bought for me when I was a preteen. We were at the Christian bookstore when I saw this little book titled 365 One-Minute Meditations – God Calling. I remember asking for it and telling him how badly I needed it (LOL). I don’t know whether the pretty picture or the title itself captured my attention, but I definitely wanted it!

Many of us are quarantined and spending time at home. Some of us are lonely, anxious, depressed, or even bored. I remembered about this devotional because it got me through some of my most stressful times. I kept it at arms-reach under my bed along with a journal and pen through my middle and high school years, despite whatever rebelliousness I was in. Whenever I was worried, stressed, anxious, angry, depressed… this little devotional got me through it all. It planted some truths in my heart and is producing fruit today.

The Bible talks about trials we’d face in this life. There are specific principles and instructions laid out for us to follow to get through them – they’re given to us to encourage and help us get through each test and season of life.

I struggled with mostly fear – fear of the future, of the dark, of heights, etc. – but when I’d read the one-minute nugget from God Calling, it helped me recognize God’s voice a little better each time. I memorized the verses and thought about them throughout each day. I became more interested in studying the Bible. I prayed more often throughout my day. Even though I went through rebellion and disobeyed my parents, I found that God would still speak to me.

Over the years, I learned that it’s not at all about what we do that makes God love us. He loves us because we are. He is the Creator of all and lavishes His love on us continuously. We can easily overlook this when we get distracted by things like fear. Thinking about what’s going on in the world reminded me of the many times I was afraid and what I did in those moments. Most of the time, I did not understand what to do, so I picked up this little devotional, read the one-minute nugget, journaled, and prayed.

Today, I found that very journal and reminisced the special moments I had with God during those years. It wasn’t much, and a lot of what I wrote is a bit silly now. But I recalled going from fear to faith, chaos to peace, and anger to kindness. Through it all God gently convicted my heart to make things right with my parents, too. These moments set me up for today, where I can live full of hope and peace during what the world is offering: fear and panic.

What fears are you facing today? What devotional can you pick up today? Or is there a reading plan from the Bible app? How ARE you getting through this time?