I had good intentions to write a devotional for you to post on yesterday on Easter Sunday, and I am sorry it didn’t happen. I hope you had a blessed holiday, even if you only celebrated in your heart, praising Jesus with the whispers of your breath. -Lisa
When illness has messed up all the smooth parts of your life and you feel like a bit of a mess, then what? Shelly explains this is where God steps in.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:19-25).
Life the way we live it can sometimes leave us feeling broken. Certainly weak. And always, crumpled. Do you know what I mean?
We’re like that crumpled up paper, tossed so carelessly.
We recognize that we’ve been rescued, lovingly opened, and pressed down to get out as many wrinkles as possible. But once you’ve been crumpled, there really is no reset button, ya know?
The other day I was watching an amazing video that kept showing time lapse videos of blooming poppies. I saw what I had never really realized before.
And it reminded me immediately of this part of the verse above:
…since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain…
See, the poppy was crumpled and closed off, just like we have been. But then, in the sunlight, it began to bloom.
And it’s crumpled places made the opening even more beautiful, because it looked so fragile, but stood so proud and strong.
Because of Jesus, we can have a beautiful blooming, as well.
We can have our crumpled places highlight His glory.
The sunlight is waiting . . . It’s time.
Prayer: Father God, what a wonder You are! Only You so easily find the beauty in our crumpled places. Only You think of our weaknesses as the perfect backdrop to showcase Your strength. Thank You, more than we can say, for Jesus and what He opened. How He teaches us a new way to open, too. In His Holy Name we pray, Amen.
About the author:
Shelly Hendricks is a wife and mother of 2 amazing kids. They live the good life in South Louisiana. She was a teacher and a librarian in another life. She also suffers from Intracranial Hypertension and a yet-unnamed neuro degenerative disease, among a myriad of other issues mostly stemming from these two. She had brain surgery in 2012, to install a VP Shunt, and had a revision in January 2014. Though her condition continues to deteriorate, her spirit is constantly focused on eternity. Disability has been hard to deal with, but she depends on God for all strength and hopes to encourage others on this journey, through her blog at http://reneweddaily.com
This is the amazing video Shelly mentioned above. It has the song “With All I Am” by Hillsong. She says “This is the video that inspired my post.” Hoping it blesses you today. -Lisa
How does God used your crumpled places to showcase His glory and teach you a new way to open?
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 