@AlyciaMorales
And I had a renewed desire to get to know Him on an even more intimate level than I already do.
So I thought I'd spend this year focusing in on the Gospels that I've read so many, many times over. I'd look for how Jesus lived His life. What He taught us to do through His example and His stories. And I'd focus on the Psalms, which I've been told are full of examples of God's love for us. They're good for the soul. So I would seek out God's goodness for His people. Because I've read the Psalms over and over and over again, as well. But sometimes we need to read things in a new light. One of fresh revelation.
And then, just the other day, I realized that people were doing these things called Yearly Scripture Journaling Plans. And I thought, Hmm. Focusing in on one small portion of Scripture each day. One small portion of God in all His greatness. One key element of His love. One step in His journey of life.
And it hit me. How often do I blow through my daily chapter of Psalms, Proverbs, and a Gospel? How often do I miss the revelation because I'm already on to the next verse? What if I were to slow it down and set aside the expectation to read it all and focus on the small? The intimate? The detail?
And so today, I started. And today, God revealed.
As I read Luke 6:30, the still-small-voice asked, How often have you asked to have these stolen things returned? If not verbally, how often have you asked for them in your heart?
See, several years ago, my husband and I attempted to rent our home. We were on the road with his career and needed some extra income to help us pay the mortgage on that house while we rented in the city we were in at the time. So we let a friend of mine rent from us. With promises to pay us half of what we would normally charge for rent in exchange for some cosmetic work, such as putting up new sheet rock, taping, spackling, and painting.
Instead, we were taken advantage of. No work was done. No rent was paid. And when they moved out, they left a pile of furniture and trash in back of our barn where no one would see. Two dumpsters' worth.
And then the house went into foreclosure. And we spent some of our retirement plan to get it out.
And then we tried to sell it. And then we tried to go to a short sale. And when neither of those worked, we ended up giving the house back to the bank without foreclosing.
Something we had invested tens of thousands of dollars in. Something we had invested our sweat, blood, and tears in. And I still feel taken advantage of. I still feel stolen from. I still feel angry over.
In other words, let it go.
Because when you sit under that spirit of injustice or entitlement or self-righteousness, you hinder God from restoring. Restoring peace. Restoring hope. Restoring what was lost. Restoring what was stolen. Healing. And you hold onto unforgiveness. And that hinders all.
So if there's anything you're holding onto that you need to let go of, please do it today. Learn to live as Jesus did. LOVE your enemies. DO GOOD to those who hate you. BLESS those who curse you. PRAY for those who spitefully use you. OFFER the other cheek. DON'T WITHHOLD what's been asked of you. GIVE to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods, DO NOT ASK THEM BACK.
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. Follow the Golden Rule.
And watch what God restores. Watch how He multiplies. Watch how His blessings flow. How His favor pours out...
Click to Tweet:
What are you holding onto that God wants you to let go of? via @AlyciaMorales
When God asks you to let go so He can do... via @AlyciaMorales
A Lesson from Luke 6 about Letting Go via @AlyciaMorales
