My one word for 2018…
Do you remember the old story about manna? It’s the “bread from heaven” the Israelites in the wilderness had to go collect every day. Every. Single. Day. Except the Sabbath day, of course.
I would imagine collecting manna was kind of a pain. It’s described as “fine flaky something, fine as frost on the ground.” It must have taken some time and effort to collect enough to satisfy, don’t you think? And I’m guessing there were other things they would rather be doing than tediously picking up little flakes off the ground.
But look at it this way- they were gathering something they did not plant or tend, something they paid nothing to own, something that miraculously appeared six days a week.
They were gathering what God provided.
I think this is a perfect picture of the way God works in our lives; human effort infinitely amplified by grace. I have learned through study and experience that God has invited us to participate in his story, in our stories. We don’t get to be observers of what God is doing, we get to be agents. But God provides so much more than our efforts alone would yield.
Like manna.
Gathering what God provides.
So yes, it takes discipline. And this year, that’s my focus. I want to faithfully, day by day, gather what God is providing. I trust that my inadequacies, insufficiencies, all-a-round weaknesses will be met by God’s grace and strength so that I become what he created me to be, fully participating on the story he is writing.
Father, thank you for new beginnings and ancient words. Thank you for meeting our feeble efforts with your magnificent power and might, allowing us to accomplish your will in spite of our inadequacies. I pray, Father, that I would be faithful in gathering what you have provided so that I can become the person you created me to be. #prayersformychildren #oneword #2018
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