Two weeks after graduating from college, I moved away from home to start my new career. I was young. I was excited. I was also very alone.

To add some life to my lonely days, I decided to buy a puppy. I’ve enjoyed being around dogs ever since I was a kid. I knew that having this new pet would help break the monotony of solitude.

Keesha was a playful puppy, and our favorite game was called “Find Harold.” Harold was a small, stuffed teddy bear that she cherished.

To start the game, I covered Keesha’s eyes and threw Harold across the room. Then I would release my hand from her eyes and shout, “Find Harold!” Her eyes would dart back and forth, then she would pounce around the room trying to find Harold.

Most of the time she was successful, but there were times when she just couldn’t find him. She would run back to me with this pitiful “help me” look on her face. So, I would grab her head and set her in the direction of Harold. I held her head firm until I could feel her excitement as she spotted Harold. Then off she leapt to retrieve her treasured toy.

In many ways, I feel like God wants to hold our heads and set our hearts toward his kingdom–a kingdom full of peace and purpose. Excitement fills our hearts as we begin to see where we are to run. Then, in his timing, he releases us to run toward our calling and purpose.

“Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:29-31).

Today, I encourage you to run to God. Let him lovingly take your head, your mind into his hands. Let him point you in the direction where you are to run. When you begin to see a future full of hope and peace, excitement will fill your heart.

Prayer: Father, I long to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness. Take my spirit in your loving hands and point me in the direction you would have me go. Then, when I am ready to run, release me to my calling that I may draw closer to you and experience all the blessings you have in store for me.

It’s early Sunday morning as I write this, and it’s still dark outside. I can hear the rain pounding on our roof. Lightening strikes off in the distance. The flash illuminates the room for a brief second. I wait. I listen. The booming thunder soon follows. As the rain trickles off the roof, I am reminded of a scripture about God’s faithfulness:

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

God’s Word is so precious. It is our primary link between the natural and supernatural. As the Holy Spirit illuminates the Word of God to us, our spirit grows and our faith is strengthened. As surely as the rain comes, so God faithfully fulfills his Word.

The Word of God is not only a book of life; it is a living book. Hebrews 4:12a declares: “For the word of God is living and powerful…” It is living. It is powerful. You are not only reading history–you are reading Life!

Let me encourage you this week to sit down, take a break and read a few verses from the Bible. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to show you some of God’s promises. Ask him to show you new and exciting truths. Ask him to reveal your path to peace. Let him introduce you to the living Word of God, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, reveal to me your faithfulness through your Word and through your work in my life. Make real to me your promises to help me through fear and anxiety, and allow me to find peace in those promises. Teach me to trust you with everything in my life.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

You’ve got to think about “big things”
while you’re doing small things,
so that all the small things
go in the right direction.

There is no security in life, only opportunity.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow! What a ride!”

Attempt something so big that unless God intervenes, it is bound to fail.

The glory of God is a man fully alive.

Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away.