Sunday Writing... 8-11-19... "THINGS NOT SEEN"

Good morning!

Today's devotional is about "THINGS NOT SEEN."  It can be scary to not be able to see where you are going.  It is especially frightening if you have never been on that road or pathway before.  It is important to have a good guide and navigator.

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"THINGS NOT SEEN"

by

Jan Andersen

Here in Arizona we are in what is called our monsoon season, though it isn't the torrential rains I used to think of as monsoons.  Sometimes we also have high winds at this time of year without the rain.  Those winds can whip up anything loose and send it flying.  This includes the top layer of dirt and dust in open areas, especially unplanted fields in agricultural areas.  Haboobs, or violent dust storms, can ensue.  They can be so thick with sand and dust that you can hardly see right in front of you, similar to a blizzard!    Driving in a haboob risks running into things not seen.

Some people still try to drive in blinding storms of various types.  They go on their past experience of driving that area, or proceeding with more caution at a much slower pace, or even following the taillights of vehicles in front of them.  There can be problems with these strategies, however.  Going by experience can be hampered by the fact that with next to no visibility, landmarks are obscured.  Driving at a slower pace in this situation can disorient them as it takes much longer before reaching each familiar point.  Driving extremely slowly puts them at risk of being hit from behind by less cautious drivers.  And following taillights can lead to people running into vehicles that have pulled over and stopped on the side of the road but not turned off their lights and taken their feet of the brakes.  Things unseen can present significant difficulties and be quite scary.

We can have these scary times in life as well.  There can be times when we need to make a decision on which direction to take in our lives, without fully knowing what God’s will is for us. We can approach such situations with prayer and meditation, asking for God to guide us, but still be unsure of which decision to make.  It may feel as if we are being led in a certain direction, yet we may not be quite sure if it is God leading us or our own will.  It can be very scary to step out into the unknown when we cannot see what the future might bring. 

After praying for discernment, sometimes we simply need to choose a course with confidence in Christ.  We need to have faith in God’s promise to work it out for our good because He loves us.  Sometimes we have to make a decision and simply ask God to bless it.  We can take a certain path with things not seen ahead because we have the assurance of a great Navigator.  Put God in the driver's seat of your life journey!

Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV)  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, for by it the people of old received their commendation.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us the gift of faith so that we can move forward in confidence with you as our guiding protector, knowing you will use all things for our good.  Continue to give us the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.

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Song:
Walk By Faith
by Jeremy Camp

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Faith is your heart knowing and trusting God even when your eyes cannot see!

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries

Blog Writers

Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett, 

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  

Bre Miller, Lynda Kinnard, Amie Spruiell, 
Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,

Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustaf