Spirit & Body

Excruciating neck pain, nausea, and vertigo arrived with me as I entered the writer’s conference building. Chronic pain has been my constant companion for over twenty years. Flare-ups usually showed up when least expected. I knew I could not stay for the conference, but my husband was seven hours away. How would I endure this attack on my body?

Two dear friends and I enjoyed a wonderful conversation during our seven-hour ride from South Carolina to Florida. We were excited to fellowship with new and long-time friends at the event. We chatted about the various classes we wanted to attend and the authors we wanted to meet. The sounds of laughter filled the car as we traveled to the venue.

But the closer we got to our destination, the more my troublesome symptoms surfaced. As my body cried out in fear and trembling, I prayed to God for comfort and peace.

God answered by reminding me of His Word in Psalms 120:1. When we call on the Lord, He answers. God wants us to lean on Him in every moment. I prayed, and God heard my cries. When I am weak, God is strong. I did not need to fear.

I called my husband and explained the situation. He arrived hours later to take me home and to the doctor for treatment. God comforted me while I waited, and He never left me.

When we arrived home, I made an appointment with my pain doctor for the next day. I praised God for His mercy and presence before, during, and after the trip.

Think of ways to trust God when your physical body hurts. Thank God for His presence in times of pain.

Many of us can think of someone who habitually uses a particular perfume. In fact, it has become their signature scent. Every time we smell it, we think of that person.

While some odors attract, others we’d rather forget. I think particularly of a skunk that has been road-killed. Unfortunately, that smell lingers for a long time like the aftereffects of troublemakers.

Every perfume is unique, but none can be as special as the one God instructed for use only by His priests. Exodus 30:22-25 details a blend of myrrh, cinnamon, and other aromatic plants that produce a distinctive fragrance. Anyone who attempted to reproduce the recipe other than designated priests was banished from among the people. 

Mary of Bethany created the opposite effect. After sacrificing expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet, she used her hair to wipe them dry. The Bible says the aroma filled the house, and I imagine it remained in the air for days. The fragrance served as a testimony to Mary’s love for her Lord.  

We should examine the atmosphere that clings to us to ensure it’s pleasant, not disagreeable. I hope we don’t go anywhere without the fragrance of Christ seeping through our conversation and actions.

Today, pray that you will remind everyone you meet of Christ. Bring the fragrance of Christ to others who are already God’s and a reminder to those who are not.

My seven-year-old niece Evelynn's admiration of me is undeniable. She always watches me and attempts to emulate my every move. Her sweet adoration made me reflect on my fascination and admiration for my heavenly Father. "Do I look at God with the same level of esteem and amazement that Evelynn looks at me?" I questioned. "Do I try to emulate Him with the same unmatched vigor?"

When I reflect upon the God we serve, who existed before time itself, I'm left absent for words. He created the heavens and the earth, is ever-present, faithfully fulfills His promises, and loved sinful humanity so greatly that He sent His own Son to die for us. And how wondrous that the maker of the universe desires a personal relationship with each of us.

Although we can't visibly stare at our creator as Evelynn stares at me, we can fasten our gaze on His Word and the world around us, which freely display His nature. As Evelynn illustrated, often, when we're so full of reverence for someone, we can't help but stare, keeping our eyes fixed on the object of our fascination. I suspect such innocent and wholesome childlike adoration is precisely what God desires from His children.

Through my niece's shining example, I daily remind myself of my need to be more like a child in my relationship with God. Further, I plan to never let a day pass without meditating on God's wondrous nature and pouring out my adulation to Him.

Although we have the honor of serving an extraordinary God who deserves more praise, honor, and acclaim than we could ever provide, we can certainly try. Try something today. 

“Let’s dream a little,” the speaker said. “If you could have anything, absolutely anything your heart desires, what would it be?” He paused and scanned the crowd.

Silence filled the packed room. Some in attendance seemed eager, pondering the question. Others shrank down in their seat, appearing too afraid to answer.

The speaker tapped on the microphone. “Come on, folks, are you with me? Wake up and use your imagination. What would it be?” When he still got no response, he continued. “More money? A new car? Bigger house? Better job? A trip around the world? What is it that would completely satisfy your soul?”

That’s a question we should all ask ourselves. What is it we’re searching for? What will it take for us to be truly content?

There’s a song that gives us the answer: Jesus. He is the only One who can completely satisfy our souls. His love, joy, and peace—along with every good and perfect gift that comes down from heaven—are worth more than anything this world has to offer. This world’s wealth and pleasures are temporary and fleeting. But the gifts Jesus offers are eternal.

There is a God-shaped void inside every single person. We can spend a lifetime searching for other things, but it’s a sacred space that only the Spirit of God Himself can fill. The good news is that when we seek Him first, above all else, He promises to give us everything we need. He even promises to give us the desires of our hearts when we delight in Him.

Don’t waste precious time on things that are temporal and meaningless. If you’re discontent and searching for satisfaction and true fulfillment, turn to Jesus. He is all you’ll ever need. That’s a promise.

“Oh, Lord, I have an hour before I go to work and five dollars that’s burning a hole in my pocket.”

In that instant, the Holy Spirit recalled a rollerball strawberry perfume with glitter in it.

“Oh, yes, Lord, but why go get the strawberry perfume I saw in a dollar store only two days before?” 

But I went anyway. As I took the strawberry perfume off the rack, I noticed a breakaway lanyard on the shelf below the perfume. Just what I needed. I work in a state school where clients with mental illnesses can be dangerous and sometimes attack staff and nurses. We have a strict rule that all lanyards must be breakaway. If we don’t, we could be strangled by a client using the lanyard.

About three weeks before, my lanyard broke. I ordered one from Amazon, but it was not a breakaway when I received it. I was frustrated that I had spent so much on the wrong kind.

I wore it every day, vowing to order a new one, but I kept forgetting. Finding this new lanyard was a serendipitous moment. Serendipitous means “finding pleasing things one had not been looking for.” The Lord’s care touched my heart. I got the perfume and the lanyard for $2.71.

My devotion before work stated, “Our place of refuge and safety is guaranteed by the presence of Jesus Christ.”  Having a proper lanyard was an issue of safety. Jesus was keeping me safe.

Pray for serendipity in your life as Jesus leads you in His care.