Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Taking my next right step

Weekend Music links on iTunes: All Because of Jesus - Fee, Holding Nothing Back - Jesus Culture, Love Came Down - Ben Cantelon, None But Jesus - Hillsongs

Read:   Jeremiah 29:11; Luke 22:39-44

Think:  If you are like me you might frequently pray that God change your circumstances.  Life often isn’t perfect, in fact it rarely is.  We might have seasons of harmony and bliss, but storms are often looming just off the horizon.  I was reading this morning about a young man, Nick Vujicic who was born with no arms, and no legs.  His testimony is a powerful lesson in patience, faith, and the glory of God in the midst of a terrible storm.  His life’s motto is “No Arms, No Legs, No Worries”….it kind of puts things in perspective doesn’t it?

Nick readily admits that he was supported by a wonderful family, but you can also imagine the anguish and maybe even bitterness they felt when Nick was not born “perfectly”.  Our first reaction might be to have God intervene and change the circumstances, but God’s purposes are often (always?) much higher than we can readily see or understand in the moment.  Nick chose to rely upon God’s perfect plan and not wallow in his physical imperfection.  Doing so has impacted the Kingdom in a huge way.   Nick trusted God’s word (see Jeremiah 29:11) despite what seemed like, unfair and maybe even impossible circumstances. 

Our second passage (Luke 22:39-44) takes us to the Mount of Olives where Jesus knew his time had come to be sacrificed for our sins.  Fair?  Hardly.  His commitment to a higher purpose and His Fathers will…absolutely.  But notice the natural and real human reaction of Jesus in this moment: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me”. He too desired the circumstances to be changed, but it is his next words that tell us everything: “yet not my will, but yours be done”.   He fully placed his trust in his Fathers purpose in spite of the circumstances. 

Nick Vujicic chose to fully trust God’s plan in spite of his circumstances as well.  If you care to learn more about Nick Vujicic’s life story you can see, listen, and read about him at  “Life Without Limbs” at the following website:  http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/.

Do:  Is there an area of your life that you are looking for God to change your circumstances?  Are you missing God’s grace and His purpose by fighting His plan?  Be thankful that no matter where you are at as His hand is upon you.   

Pray:  Heavenly Father I pray for patience and trust today.  Patience to wait upon Your plans, and complete Trust in You.   I place my trust and hope in You.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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