“Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.” from Psalm 23
How is it with you?
How have you been lately? Some
respond, “I’m fine” (the pat answer).
Others may say, “I’m ok for my age.”
Still, others may say, “I’m doing better than I deserve.” …and you
think, “what in the world have they done to deserve this?” Then others say, “I’m doing better now,” and
you didn’t have a clue anything was wrong.
Most of us have experienced aches, pains, stress,
family problems, loss, job demands, children and/or parents to tend to. Sometimes we have to let some of these things
go in order to take care of the obvious or whatever is before us at that very
moment. Other times we just have to
either prioritize or do the best we can.
How do you
face the problems you encounter each day?
Do you just struggle and meander, wondering, trying your best to get
along, so you aren’t bothersome or burdensome to others? The act of determination of your will,
relying on God’s help, goodness and grace to see you through difficulties is
something we all need to depend on. When
we feel alone He is always present. He
is always willing to lift your burdens when seemingly you don’t see a way out
of a situation.
The “Indian Chop” made by the Atlanta Braves fans,
is also in the American sign-language an act of your will. Even when you don’t feel like forgiving, with
an act of your will, forgive! When you don’t
feel like loving, love! God will help
you and undergird you when you put your feelings aside and with His leading, by
the act of releasing your will into His will, you can begin to experience a
release of what has been hindering you and pulling you down. It is when this release occurs from the
shackles that bind you, that you will begin to sense and experience God’s grace
and goodness.
Prayer: Merciful God, thank You for your goodness and
mercy that upholds us day after day! Amen.
Joyfully serving with
you,
Your friend,
Mark David Jackson
