December 2 Devotion

Everyone has some type of label to them. And these labels can change as we grow. As we age. As we learn. Some labels are carried like a badges of honor. Others not so much. Some we give ourselves. Others are given to us. Labels can, and often do, shape our identities.

If we don’t label ourselves, who is it that has the right to do this? Who do we allow to do this? Who is it that can shape our identities like this? Pretty powerful questions if you think about it. And I know that it’s easy for me to say this, but the only identity that should matter is the one we have within God.  I’m going to quote something that I read earlier. “God created us, designed us, and knit us together from the innermost to the outermost part of us. God knows us more deeply, intimately, and completely, more than we know ourselves. If anyone is qualified to properly label us and shape our identity, it’s God.” Go ahead and read that again. Let that sink in.

If we truly believe this, then only God is qualified or entitled to shape our identities. That means that society, people, not even ourselves, are qualified to do this. Only God is. So today, tomorrow, and in the future days, be sure to wear your labels with pride. Manager, father, mother, Coach, etc. Wear them with pride. But be sure to prioritize. Because being in God’s grace is the label that we should all strive for. Do that, and people will see his light through you. And then maybe, they will accept his grace as well. And just think about the label that they will then have. And that is awesome.

December 1 Devotion

My accident was 33 years ago. November 28, 1990. I look back at the time of my life, and I remember how much I was living for myself. I was 19. Scholarship athlete. Had everything that a young man could want. Or thought he wanted. All the excesses that the world provides. Women, parties, popularity, etc. The things that I thought were important. The things that would ultimately lead to me being paralyzed.

Then I think about the first few days after my accident. Not sure whether I was going to live or not. Laying there while my neck swelled up. As it caused more paralysis. Then on the fourth day, my body stabilized to the point that they could perform surgery. Didn’t know it then, but God was stepping in. He knew my heart was turning towards him. He knew he could use me in my chair in ways he could never use me out of it. He showed me a grace that I never deserved. Never knew I wanted. Never knew I needed.

How fitting all this is today. Because the verse I read discusses this very thing. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,” 1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬. 32 years ago, God took a life altering accident, and he altered my life forever by showing me grace. He came into my life even though I was undeserving. It still took me a little while to realize it. Now I live day-to-day, fully expecting God to work in my life. And you can too. You can live born again. And living knowing he is in control. Because he loves you. He loves me. Always has. Always will.