April 7

“The divine seed within us is being quickened by the Holy Spirit whenever we feel inward stirrings and longings after holiness.  This is the begetting of God.  Then comes our responsibility.  We cannot create life, but we can let life live.”  Hannah Whitall Smith, Daily Secrets, 4/7

I just heard a sermon on the radio that asked the question, "What comes between you and Jesus to block your trusting him?"  The preacher suggested things like our idolizing people or possessions, but I have another one to add:  being right but not having your advice heeded.  I can get so caught up sometimes in being right about something that I cannot see what Christ is doing in the other person.  My motive is to protect them from making a mistake.  Sometimes there may be selfishness attached because their mistake may affect me, but other times I have no personal interest at stake, but still I feel the need to make them "see the light". Ultimately, all I can do is make a suggestion.  People respond better to “have you considered doing this” because it makes it easier for them to change their minds.  So why do I feel so desperate that they take my advice?  Lord, forgive me for not trusting You in whatever you are working out of or into their lives and mine.  May I let Your Life live in me.

“Other seeds fell on good soil .....As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”  Matthew 13:8a, 23