Today’s Reflection
I don’t pretend to know why God chooses to allow some things to happen. This side of heaven, I imagine we will continue to live in the tension of the sovereignty of God and our freedom of choice—and how those two things intermingle to impact what happens in our lives. To be clear, I don’t want to imply that God makes difficult things happen to us so that we can grow. What I know is that sometimes painful things happen and that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28, NIV). And sometimes that good can be difficult to see, so we rest (or rumble) in the sacred ambiguity of what new thing is being born.
—Beth Taulman Miller, What Loss Can Teach Us: A Sacred Pathway to Growth and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today’s Question
How can you “rest (or rumble) in the sacred ambiguity” of what God is doing in your life? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 1:6 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
This Lent, embrace body positivity and give up diet culture with the new release, My Body Is Good, by Anne Cumings. Join her on this journey and never again forget that your God-given body, made from dust, is good. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments
Whoa – how pertinent to exactly where I am. I met with my spiritual director yesterday and our conversation quickly turned to how I was feeling physically and if any of the medical tests had revealed anything. (This answer also ties in with yesterday’s question.) Today marks the 6 month mark of not being able to sit without discomfort. I said to my spiritual director – I keep asking God to help me endure as I try to learn what He wants me to learn in this. I said – I must not be listening/learning well. Her response was – what if there is nothing to learn in this. What if this just is? I didn’t know what to do with that – I find it very sobering. I am weary with the thought of there being “no end in sight”. And yet – I can do all physical activity without pain. It is the weirdest thing. I can run each morning with no discomfort. I can play tennis full throttle – no pain. But, as soon as I sit down – there is discomfort. I readily admit that I would choose being able to be active and have pain when seated, vs the other way around. But – it is discouraging that all these tests reveal little in the way of “a fix”. The unknown is a struggle for me. Our time together was very meaningful yesterday – as she gave me lots to “ponder” and talk to God about.
I have been trying to catch up on my sleep – so have been going to bed earlier. If the kittens come to bed early, they are up super early. Such was the case this morning. My godson has a basketball game this evening, but I don’t know that I will have it in me to go. Part of the issue is it is 35 minutes one way to his high school. My butt has had it by the end of the day, despite minimal sitting during the school day.
Ally – praying for David’s homecoming, that he will be safe and that you will be able to caregive well for him. Julie – continue to hold firm with your time in the morning…hopefully God will provide the space and time for this so needed habit.
I am pondering where to go next…an injection has been offered, a second opinion…a tennis friend who is a doc says I should see an orthopedic. I am returning to my physical therapist on Monday to see what she thinks of my options.
Thank you to Jill’s spiritual director! I have felt this truth for so long and flogged myself because surely I am just missing the insight to see the lesson in all my sufferings. There was no reason for Job’s suffering except the whims of the devil. Yes, sometimes…things just…happen. We can learn patience and forebearance, endurance and acceptance. But a grand lesson is not always there for us to discern or even there period.
Prayers for Jill as she continues to seek answers and relief. Prayers for Ally as she must once again meet the challenges of caregiving. Especially the challenges of doing so for someone far heavier and larger than oneself.
Megan is home from work again today for her initial appointment with a new PCP. I pray she likes this doctor and sticks with caring for her health.
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