All right, people. We’ve made it this far in our 12 Days of Grace, and now we’re calling in for something big. My prayer is that the last 10 days have softened your heart enough for this one. Are you up for the challenge?
DAY 11 READING
Sometimes we have to look ahead to see where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. While Advent is waiting and preparing for Jesus’s birth, we also know that what we’re waiting for is this tiny baby in a manger who changes the world. What he did while he was here changed everything for us forever. We see all of his stories, miracles, and truths in the book of John. When we look at chapter 14 in the book of John, we get very specific instructions of how to get to the Father.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” John 14:6
He goes on to tell his disciples about knowing his Father because they know him. Then he shares something that is repeated over and over again in the Bible:
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14: 13-14
See, so what are you asking Jesus for today in his name? The more I read the Bible, the more clear God’s word is. It’s really so simple; I think we just like to complicate things. Let’s not.
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
LOVE. That’s the big one. Love the Father, love your neighbor, love yourself as you love your neighbor. Because of this, God offers us peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Only God. Nothing in this world will give us the peace that only God can give. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Yet how many of us let our anxieties keep us from happiness? How can we let those anxieties and worries go? Trust. Faith. Calling on the Holy Spirit to remind us of God’s promises.
Because of the miracle of Jesus, we have hope, peace, and restoration. You know those hard times in life when you don’t know how in the world you’re going to make it through? And then you do? That’s Jesus. That’s the Father. That’s the Holy Spirit.
DAY 11 CHALLENGE
Since we’re readying our hearts for Jesus and opening up our hearts even bigger, let’s dig deep. What is holding us back? What grudges or bitterness does our heart hold? We have to make a choice: do we want that ugliness to reside in us and eat away at our happiness or do we trust the Lord and forgive whatever it is that caused it?
Who does your heart need to forgive? Is it yourself? Is it a parent? A friend who hurt you? Let it go. Just as God forgives us, we must also forgive. The thing about forgiveness is that it’s not about the other person. It’s about you. It’s about you freeing yourself from the hurt. You don’t even have to let another person know. Just forgive and let the pain go. When you do, you’ll feel lighter, your faith will grow, and your love will shine brighter.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
You’ve got this, friend. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Jesus is near.
Xoxo,
Kristy
