THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Lord Jesus, it’s not like you didn’t warn us. When people identify with you and tell others they believe you are God’s Son and you came to redeem us from the curse of sin, we can expect some pushback. Skeptics will see our imperfections, raise an eyebrow like “Say what?” and maybe write us off as a Looney Tune. That may be true for some, but not everybody. Hopefully, many will want to know how we stand out from the herd.

Do my friends and coworkers who know my flaws wonder how I maintain a sense of peace when around me chaos demands to be the center of attention? Lord, your Spirit must give me the words to explain, in layman’s terms for those who do not know you, how your presence in my inner man keeps me sane in this insane world. Help me explain the truths of 2 Corinthians 5:17. All I can say is you just made me different on the inside and I’m not who I used to be. And the good news is you, Lord, can do the same to anyone who calls on you for mercy.

Showing kindness isn’t common today. Since you extended grace and kindness toward me when I was such a mess, may I do the same and make kindness the rule in all my relationships. Because I belong to you, Lord, open my spiritual eyes for the people you send across my path who are looking for what you offer: forgiveness, grace, and a new life, both on the inside and outside.

Help us prove the skeptics wrong, Jesus. Amen!