Deuteronomy 2: 1-2 NIV – Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea, as the Lord had directed me. For a long time, we made our way round the hill country for Seir. Then the Lord said to me, “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north”.

We as God’s children have a renewed life under His blessings. For generations to come, we continue to see His provisions. Today, this week, this month, or even this year you may feel like you cannot hear or see those blessings and provisions. Think of how the Israelites felt after wandering for 40 years.

Do you ever feel like you are wandering around in fear and worry? When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, it was the Holy Spirit that guided my eyes to a Run for God book that had been perfectly placed on my parent’s shelf. It was like God was telling me to turn north after wandering in that fear and worry while we waited for the next step. Thanks to God and running, I was able to channel my fears and worries through prayer and worship.

We are all waiting on something. Waiting for a diagnosis. Waiting on a house to sell. Waiting on a marriage to mend. Waiting on a child to return home. Waiting for direction from God. While we are waiting, we can be listening and looking to God. He always uses our seasons of waiting for His glory and our good. He may just be telling you to turn north, wherever your north may be. Let’s pray through Proverbs 3:5-6. 

Dear God, I trust in You Lord with all my heart. Help me not to lean on my own understanding. Help me in all my ways to submit to Your plans. I ask that You make my paths straight. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 40:2 NIV – He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

It is so easy to get stuck in a routine that we can fall into a pit. My routine might look like this: have my morning devotion, eat breakfast, pack lunch, and go to work. I might use my lunch break to run errands or come home to clean. After work, I return home to go for a run, cook dinner, and maybe have a meeting at church or assist a family member. Finishing off the day with a cup of coffee while watching TV or reading before going to bed. It is the same process all over again tomorrow. Does this sound familiar? Before I know it, I find myself in the pit of routine. 

Thankfully, not only can God lift us from our pit of routine but He can also refresh us by putting a new song in our mouths. In Psalm 40:3 NIV: “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the lord and put their trust in him”. In Ray’s photo today you will notice an old, long dock with birds perched. Sometimes the road to our pit is longer and takes more time. I imagine those birds to be singing a beautiful song along the way. Just like those birds, God will allow His word,  people, places, and things for us to find a joyful song. Will you allow God to lift you out of your pit and put a new song in your mouth? 

Let’s pray: Dear God, Thank You for pulling me out of my pit. Thank You for the new song that only you can put in my mouth. I praise You for both the monotonous routines and the adventurous ones. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 77:19 NIV – Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

Ever had a piece of clay, such as a mug, mean so much to you? When you see the mug’s image or words they are comforting or bring back a flood of memories. Often those memories, partnered with what is in that mug, like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, can bring us joy. One day I came across a mug with the Footprints In the Sand poem which derives from our key verse in Psalms. This poem had become words my Dad clung to during his battle with Pancreatic Cancer. These words still mean so much to me today.

God had led Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites to safety through the Red Sea. The sea then closed up before the Egyptians could reach them. Meanwhile, God’s footprints were not seen. Just like a clay pot can be molded and remolded, trials or grief strikes and I am like a piece of clay cracked with sorrow, watered with tears, and remolded with God’s grace. Each day we have the choice to step into the Potter’s hands and let Him continually mold us. We read in Isaiah 64:8 NIV: “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”.

During my See You Saturday video on May 13th, I talked about how we can grieve many different people, things, or situations. We may be grieving the loss of an animal, a broken marriage, the death of a loved one, canceled plans, a wayward child, or the guilt we often impose upon ourselves. Whatever grief you find yourself in today, intentionally start each day by stepping into the Potter’s hands. He is waiting to hold you in the palm of His hand. I encourage you to listen to the poem with the song: “Footprints In The Sand” by Edgel Groves.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for walking with me, even when I can’t see or feel You. Thank You for molding and making me through all of life’s joys and trials that have made me who I am today. Help me to step into Your hands as You continually mold me and carry me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday video.

Click here to listen to one of Lauren Daigel’s songs from her new album.

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV — In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

This week we have reflected on our own failures, asked for forgiveness, and remembered our call to love others as we are loved. Today’s scripture reminds us that in our relationships with others, humility is our goal. Humility means putting others before ourselves and humility is not always easy. However, being humble is on the path to becoming more like Christ.

As you interact with others, remember your self-examination this week. Hold close in your thoughts what you learned this week about loving others through your words and actions. May each of us respond like Christ with love and humility. 

Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for the example set by Christ. Mold me and make me more like Christ in my response to others. May I continue to grow more humble and may I reflect more of You and less of me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

John 13:34 — “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

I pray as you have read the blog this week, you have taken a step back to examine yourself. I pray God has given you some new perspectives. I have shared with you photos taken from my airplane window. I am still not very comfortable with flying. I become rather anxious in the moments leading up to take-off and I calm myself by praying. Once in the air, God always reveals to me the beauty of the world below. Today’s photo was taken as I traveled up the east coast. What a beautiful perspective!

This week during your self-examination did God reveal to you times you have been judgmental? Did you realize times you have gossiped or spread rumors? Did you confess and ask forgiveness? Now that you are aware of your actions, where do you go from here? Let’s look at God’s word.

Today’s scripture are words Jesus spoke to His disciples on the night of the Last Supper. Jesus was preparing His disciples for His death and for the life they should lead afterwards. The new commandment is to love one another. We are to love those who are loveable and love those who are unloveable. In the context of our week together, how should we respond to someone who is different from us, has different opinions than us, or different life circumstances than us? We should love them. Instead of judging or gossiping, we should love them. How will you respond?

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for my new perspective on my words and actions. Please continue to guide and direct me as I learn to respond with love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

1 John 1:8-10 NIV — If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Today’s photo was taken from my airplane window as we approached Nevada. Look closely at the dark areas on the ground. When I first looked, I thought the dark areas were water. As I looked closely, I realized the dark areas were shadows cast from the clouds above. What a revelation!

I hope you have taken some time to step back, look closely at yourself from a different perspective, and gain new revelations. If you have been honest with yourself, you may have had your eyes opened to some actions and reactions that God wants you to address. God has certainly been working on me. 

In our humanness, we sin. Re-read today’s scripture. We are called to recognize our sins and ask God for forgiveness. God will forgive us our sins if we just admit our failures and accept His mercy.  Have you confessed your sins? Have you learned from your failures? Failure is good data and we can learn from it if we keep our eyes, heart, and mind open to the message. Today, let’s not only confess our sins, but learn from our mistakes and thank God for His unending love, grace, and mercy. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, forgive me for my transgressions. Give me strength and courage to learn from my failures so I can do better next time. Thank You Lord for Your love, grace, and mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.