No, not the Miss Clairol kind of highlights gracing my ever-graying hair.
Social distancing. Quarantine. Covid-19. Mandates. Mask-rage. A new vocabulary has arisen. The reality that our reality has changed pours from every direction. Uncertainty and a sense of unease have suddenly become an ever-present guest.
Feeling the sheer weight of the trial that seems to be engulfing every area of life, I whispered a prayer for help, opened my Bible, and scanned the pages for highlighted, underlined, and note-beside-them verses. Highlights from past days and past trials with scribbled notes reminded me of all God has walked me through. Not having the mental stamina or emotional energy to search out something new, these old friends are comfort food for my soul—reminding me of His faithfulness and sovereign control of all that has grazed my life.
All these neon-yellow highlights and “amens” scrawled in red ink make me question if I still believe what I highlighted. Now. Amid such worldwide and prescription-for-fear uncertainty. Do these highlights represent the truth and a rock-solid faith to stand on, or do they reveal a shallowness that would only carry me through sunny days and desired outcomes? Has my faith been a facade or real?
Although my emotions might fluctuate with the latest news story, my faith doesn’t have to. I have a choice to make and a God to serve. Whatever the outcome, He is in control and has a purpose. In the meantime, I must find my strength in the shelter of the Most High and be about His business.
Right now, while God has your undivided attention, look back at your neon highlights or make some new ones.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Becky White is a contributing author of Whispers of Wisdom for Single Mom's and Every Good and Perfect Gift, both published by Barbour Publishing. She also contributed to The Complete Guide to Christian Quotations, also by Barbour. Her first published work was a poem in a 2007 edition of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Decision magazine. In addition, Becky has self-published an auto biography titled Come Forth as Gold, two devotionals: Shelter from the Storm and Stony Paths. Becky and her husband attend Rock City Church and serve together at Columbus Dream Center. Becky writes a weekly devotion for her blog, Devotions for Difficult Days. The Whites have a family of seven grown children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandson. They make their home in Columbus, Ohio. You can connect with Becky at www.DevotionsForDifficultDays.com.