Lent Day 14

“There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”  -Romans 5:3-5 (Message)

Troubles are not necessarily crisis moments. Troubles can be anything that disturbs our disrupts our life. Our car breaks down. Our project proposal is turned down. Our child has to have extensive, expensive dental work. These troubles develop our patience and lead to virtue. Virtue keeps us making the right decisions in the midst of our troubles.

Patience and virtue keep us alert for whatever God will do next. God promises the result will be spiritual acuity; we will be aware of and prepared for the next move of God in us and around us. We become more in tune with the Holy Spirit. We eagerly expect the fullness of the Holy Spirit even in the troubles, the disturbances, and disruptions of life. And God promises, as we grow in spiritual acuity, He will generously pour out the Holy Spirit all over our lives.

Dear God, thank you that you are maturing my spirit through the troubles of life. Make me more alert to and prepared for Your movement in my life. Generously pour out your Holy Spirit all over my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Written by Reenie Peppers