Day 4 - Can't Stand the Heat

Day 4: Can't Stand the Heat

  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together with peace.
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
  
 Ephesians 4:3-4

It was emotional, clapping and cheering frontline NHS workers during the first wave of the Covid-19 crisis. Standing outside your front door, or leaning from your window - as I looked along the street, seeing every family joining with the applause and hearing hundreds of other people in our neighbouring streets . . . I was overwhelmed by so many people united by one cause.

As we begin week three of lockdown in the UK, I have to admit that I am struggling with being separated from my family and friends. I started out pretty positive, with plenty of Pinterest-inspiration for home schooling and excited about writing the Out of the Ashes devotional.

It didn't take long to feel the heat.

'I can't do this. How am I supposed to get everything done? I am not equipped for this. When will this end? Why is this happening to me? How has she got her kids to do so much work AND redecorate her entire house?'

All the doubt. All the lies. All the fear.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll have faced this internal dialogue on plenty of occasions, even before isolation. It whispers as we’re trying to do our job, as we parent, or even as we come before the Father.

The trap of comparison entrenches me in feelings of inadequacy. But the more I spend time with the Father the more I realise it’s me He wants. Not me trying to be some other me.

If I get bogged down in separation and comparison, I have forgotten the fundamental principle my salvation is rooted in: it’s got nothing to do with me!

Beauty for Ashes

I am saved by grace and grace alone. It was God’s initiative to break into my life and transform the ashes into something beautiful.

The heat from the fire can be destructive. The striving that burnt my core telling me to seek love and acceptance in all the wrong places.

The smoke of deception that choked me, making me believe I was insignificant. The painful heat that prickled whenever I felt rejection.

The smoke can blind us to God's presence, even though He never leaves our side.

But the flames also refine us.

If we lean into Jesus, allowing Him to guide and teach us through each season, we will grow.

  I was created for Jesus-centred 
connection and community. 

We need to make sure that we spend time with those who help us grow. And those who we can help to grow too.

Take the opportunity to invest in those around you who may need a little pick me up. And we can also choose wisely who we go to for support during these challenging and uncertain times.

Our best default is to always be kind. Always ready to reach out with love. To go above and beyond in showing that we care for others.

The one caveat though; you can’t be a superhero. You can’t be all things to all people.

Jesus was careful about who he spent time with. It didn’t stop him from reaching out to broken people and ministering to them.

But he spent the majority of his time and the most intimate moments with his close group of trusted friends and invested time in the relationship that fuelled Him the most: with God!

Stay safe. Be wise. Connect with others daily. And above all keep close to Jesus.

Let's Pray

Lord Jesus,

You modelled so perfectly how to walk in relationship with you. You also show me what true friendship and community should look like. Thank you that you designed us for connection. Thank you for those around me who help set my eyes on to you. I pray I can be a beacon to others, that I might spread your light to those around me. Help me to walk closely to you and fuel my fire to see your kingdom come.

Amen

What's Next?

Get a group of your people together, either on a chat group, video call or email, and create a prayer posse to back one another up with prayer. Fuel each other's fire by sharing scripture, being real with one another and loving, in the same way Jesus loves us.

Order a pack of He Calls Me post cards and write a note of appreciation to the women that have carried you. Shoot us an email to order a pack of 5 different designs for £6 (plus P+P).