Very well said on a day when I simply feel like enduring. A reminder that we need to engage, not withdraw into ourselves or stick our heads in the sand. Engaging requires more of us than simply enduring. It requires that we open our eyes and hearts to those around us. Engaging is our opportunity to use what God has given us, the good and the bad, to glorify him.

We have a sign posted as a reminder as we leave our house that says, “Your life may be the only Bible someone reads today.” That’s a heavy weight to bear but has everything to do with how we handle our shortcomings, our stumbles, our heartache, and the times when we are wronged. These are all ways we are able to begin fleshing out hope for a watching world. To live authentically, even in failure, gives hope to a world that has perfection as the standard expectation. Humility and gracefulness are strong, heroic attitudes. These words in action truly do require courage because it goes against the pride of society, the self-promoting, excuse-making, blame-avoiding society that my children are being raised in and influenced by on a daily basis. I want to engage deeper, to live my life fearlessly in the shadow of my Protector, and when I fail I want to be brave enough to admit it. You want others to know God? You want to begin to flesh out hope? Engage. It’s not in what you say, Jesus will be seen (or not) in what you do. And quite frankly there are days when that makes me want to just stay in bed with the blankets over my head but there is one more sign that we have hanging and it simply says this, “It’s not all about you.”

Father, this is such a tall order and I fail you daily but because of your mercy I am forgiven. Please help me to live in such a way that even in my failures I am pointing others to you. On days like today when I just feel like enduring, remind me that is because I haven’t spent time with You and forgive me for not wanting to engage. Thank you for being the author of grace and redemption. Thank you for your limitless, unconditional love. Amen.