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Pause

Sometimes it’s not just that we do something—even a good thing—that matters. What matters more is why and how we do it.

Making the right decisions isn’t always easy. Sometimes it gets downright complicated.

And sometimes it’s a good idea to stop and consider what we are doing and why. Right now is just such a time.

Listen

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”

Matthew 7:24-27

Think

What did Jesus want the people to do? Well, he had just finished telling them:
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.”
“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.”
“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Jesus had just given powerful rules to live by, telling them to be kind, be seekers open to all. Jesus wanted the people to look at their own lives and discern what was good and what needed to change. If you are able to do this, you will notice areas of shifting sand that will eventually give way and produce damage, hurt, and pain. Looking at your own life helps you to work with God in being more loving, compassionate, hopeful, and kind.

Andrew Kellner

Pray

God, help me to see clearly where there is shifting sand in my life. Help me to make the changes needed so that I can hear your words and act on them. Help me not to judge, to be kind and just, to seek you, and to reflect on my own deeds. In this I need your help to build my life. Amen.

Go

Go now knowing that God knows you inside and out.
Go knowing that God accepts you and is redeeming you.
Go knowing that God has given you all you need
To do and become all that God intends.

You are a work in progress
And your Creator is at work in you still.

Trust the Maker’s hand.