June 22, 2021
Wake Up and Reach Out
Kelly Balarie
Today’s Truth
“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:18, NIV).
Friend to Friend
As women, we know what needs to get done. In the morning, the dishwasher needs to be unloaded. Mid-morning on Monday’s, we make a trip to the grocery store. Later, we plan to call a girlfriend. We will go by the bank.
Do you ever, like me, live your days on auto-pilot?
It is easy to do what needs to be done, to go through the motions. It is easy to get lulled by a world that centers around shopping and eating. It is easy to get numb to our own heart and needs. It is easy to meet with God half-heartedly, because so much else needs to get done.
Lately, I feel God calling me to wake up! If I don’t heed His call I will be lulled to sleep with entertainment, news, and a feeling that I can’t change anything in this world. I will be discouraged by what I see and dismayed by how I feel. I will think God is not really at work in my life.
God warns us about this sort of mentality, where a heart gets hard and the need for God gets shallow.
“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:18, NIV).
When our heart gets hard and distant from God, our life gets shallow and separated from real life. In ignorance we think we have it all, but in actuality we have nothing. In numbness, we go about our world, but we miss the Way, the Truth, and the Life; His name is Jesus. He wants to connect with us, meaningfully.
What may be numbing you this very day? What is catching your attention more than God? Is it a fear of man or fear of the future? Is it just getting your daily duties done or is it worry about what will happen? Perhaps, for some of us, it is an over-attention on money.
My dear sister, let’s wake up– and to call out to God! Tell Him what our heart needs. Call out to Him in prayer. Admit that we need help. Confess that we have been going through the motions.
He will not condemn us but love us back to life again. He will not turn His back on us, but make us wise. God is the One who is faithful and true. The world will only leave us consumed and confused, but God? He will leave us whole, helped and full of life as we engage with His heart and His Word. His love never fails. Ever.
And, His love won’t fail you.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I confess I have been going through the motions. I confess that I am just living my life rather than surrendering to You. I repent of these ways. I want to seek You more than anything else in this world. I want to know You. I want to love You more. I ask You to equip me with all the grace I need today. Please help me to turn away from numbing and lulling things to seek You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How might you be going through the motions of life?
What do you worry about?
What might it look like to practically open your heart to God? How might you carve out sacred time with your Savior? What might you need to let go of?
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© 2021 by Kelly Balarie. All rights reserved.
