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August 27, 2003
Encouragement for Today
Finding Sure Footing in a Slippery World
Rachel Olsen, Speaker Team Member
Key verse:
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of mud and mire. He set my
feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. Psalm 40:2 NLT
Devotion:
CRACK - I heard bone break while sharp pain spread through out my foot.
A few weeks ago, I rearranged our living room furniture, and then
promptly forgot where I had placed it and walked right into my sofa. My
whole right foot swelled and bruised within seconds of making contact.
It seems I had also rearranged the toes on my foot!
A cast was not necessary but I was now sentenced to wear flip-flops
everywhere until my toes healed - including to the beautiful banquet
that weekend where I was the keynote speaker. It's hard to feel
sophisticated, authoritative, spiritual or convincing standing before
250 well-dressed women in your flip-flops. God has his ways of keeping
us humble.
No long after that, some good friends planned a gathering to celebrate
my birthday so I climbed into my husband's new car, and headed out for
lunch with the girls. The entrance to our subdivision sits on one of
the few hills in this beach town. I came to a complete stop, my car
leaning forward down the hill, as I waited for a break in the busy
traffic. Suddenly my flip-flop-clad foot slipped off of the break and I
rolled into the line of traffic. Looking out the window, I saw cars
headed for me in both directions. With the sandal hanging half off my
foot and my broken toe now throbbing, I began stomping around in a
panic, searching for a pedal that would deliver me from death. If the
crash didn't kill me, I feared my husband might!
My husband's new car was a manual transmission with a clutch, so my
impulse to hit the gas once I was in the middle of traffic only sent me
into a near stall. I thought, "Oh God, help me!" I managed to find the
clutch and the gas and started moving forward again. I remember
watching out the window as the car slowly picked up speed, wondering if
I was going to make it to the other side of the road before the
on-coming traffic made it to me. Thankfully, I made it. I caught my
breath, praised God for his protection, took off my flip-flops and drove
barefoot to the restaurant.
Before I placed my life in the hands of Jesus Christ, it was a series of
crashes and near misses. I thought I was capable of driving my life. I
thought I was well in control, but my foot kept slipping off of the
break when I should've been staying put, out of danger. I kept stalling
out when trying to move forward to do good. To tell you the truth, I
wasn't even sure where I was ultimately going. All I cared about was
having a good time with my friends. I didn't know just how near I was
to death. Then, Jesus lifted me out of the mud and mire I kept
involving myself in and gave me sure footing on solid ground (Psalm
40:2). Are you in need of a similar rescue from the slippery slopes of
this world?
Since the day I relinquished control to Jesus, my life has been
rearranged. It is much more comfortable, pleasing and beautiful this
way. Today, I am no longer in the driver's seat of my life. I've
handed over the keys to Jesus Christ and together we're cruising a
narrow path with light traffic and great scenery (Mt 7:13). The ride
can get bumpy at times, but I know I can fully trust my navigator.
After all, He has driven this road before. I also take pleasure in
knowing my final destination will be nothing short of paradise.
My prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, there are so many troubles, trails and temptations in
this life. Take and keep the key to my heart. Set me and keep me on
the solid rock of Jesus Christ. May my direction in life be determined
by your perfect will, and my decisions be made according to your holy
word. In Jesus' name I pray.
Application steps:
Take a few minutes to search the scriptures for guidance and pray
regarding any problems you are facing today.
Reflection points:
Is Christ in the driver's seat of your life?
What areas of your life are you still trying to control yourself? (the
job, kids, spouse, family, ministry, etc.)
Do you really have reason not to trust God with these areas?
Power verses:
Psalm 18:36 You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from
slipping. (NLT)
Matthew 7:13-14 You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow
gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many
who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road
is narrow, and only a few ever find it. (NLT)
Mark 8:35 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.
But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good
News, you will find true life. (NLT)
Psalm 5:8 Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer
me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn. (NLT)
Psalm 25:8 The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper
path to those who go astray. (NLT)
Additional resources:
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
http://link.salemwebnetwork.com/UM/T.asp?A1.191.25453.1.1698058
P31 Woman magazine
http://link.salemwebnetwork.com/UM/T.asp?A1.191.25453.2.1698058
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