Abraham Lincoln’s childhood is legendary. Born into poverty with a travelling father and a simple mother who taught him to read and died when Lincoln was 10. Take a moment to ponder the question: where would Lincoln be without his mother?
We have an incredible opportunity to shape our children no matter our situation.
At the end of the year, many Christians, brimming with optimism and motivation, assess their walk with Christ and resolve to turn over a new leaf by cultivating their spiritual life. Sadly for many, the leaf wilts, the resolution dissolves, and the motivation stalls as their lives become complicated.
There are no coincidences. Things don’t just happen—they’re planned. And God uses the events in our lives to get us to stop and pay attention to what He’s saying.
For some, devotions are like a placebo. People go through the motions but since there are no active ingredients, the effect is minimal.
One hero of the faith who encountered adversity throughout his life is German pastor, Martin Luther. Luther faced many trials as he led the charge for the reformation of the Catholic church.
To illustrate how God uses ordinary people, let’s travel back in time to a period of history called the Reformation. The Reformation’s heroes and battlefields may not be as recognizable as the American Revolution’s George Washington and Valley Forge. Yet the soldiers who led a religious revolution from the 1300s to the 1500s made a tremendous difference in what matters most to us—our understanding of God, the Bible, and salvation.
You are important to God, never doubt it. During tough times it’s easy to forget God is with you and knows exactly where you are. Whatever difficulty you’re experiencing, trust God. He is a present help in trouble.
Some of us are fearful of silence. If we stop we may have to think for ourselves. If we listen we may not like what we hear. We find solitude synonymous with loneliness. And so we miss the quiet whisperings of God.
God doesn’t leave us in the tough times. Even when we question His goodness, He stays near. Psalm 46 says God is our refuge and strength—a very present help in trouble. Whatever you’re going through, God is there and He’s in control.
Although I understand how to get physical rest—by going to bed earlier, taking more time to relax, and slowing my pace—the concept of finding spiritual rest is difficult to wrap my head around.
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