G.M. Sunshine Devotionals

Have you ever left something somewhere and you didn’t realize it till you left the place? Not just anything, but something that was special to you.

I remember going to a restaurant one day while on vacation far away from home. I had a great time, and when I left the restaurant, halfway to back to the hotel I realized that I didn’t have my glasses. I was sure I had taken it off while in the restaurant, so I called to ask if they had seen it. Luckily they answered the phone as it was closing time. To my hope, they said they did and that they had it. Feeling relieved and happy, I got to the restaurant and eagerly waited for them to open the door for me. They went and got my glasses and brought it to me, and when I saw it, my heart sunk; it wasn’t mine. They let me search the area where I sat, while they were cleaning up, and nothing. My glasses was no where to be found. I was devastated. I used it for everything. It was the one thing that clarified my vision afar and without it my distance was blurry. Then I thought about the process I would have to go through to get another. I would have to go back to the optometrist to get an eye exam and then order a new pair of glasses that has to again be cut and bent and brought through the process and framed with a focus just for me which would take about 3 days until ready.

When I think of this moment and similar ones like these, I think of how it may make God feel, when he held us so close and then suddenly just loses us to the world. Depending on how far we go away from him, the distance is so great that some of us never find our way back to him; and others who do… the bible tells us “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance (a change of heart and mind). To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” Hebrews 6:4-6 NIV Wow… that’s certainly hard to swallow.

The bible says, “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance…that lead to death…” Hebrews 6:6 NIV

My Prayer: Lord teach me how to be mature in you. At some point, the wonders which enticed me about you and led me to you needs to be left for the new hearts that come to you. I must move beyond, and into the richness of your Word and the fullness of your Grace. I was taught to put off my old self and be made new in the attitude of my mind (Eph 4:22). Lord help me to walk by the spirit, live by the spirit and be led by the spirit (Gal 5:16-18) through the fruits of the spirit, love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23 NIV). In Jesus name, Amen.

Be Blessed,

G.M.