The Restorer

The Restorer

READ: PSALM 36:5-10; MATTHEW 11:25-30 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%2036%3A5-10%3B%20MATTHEW%2011%3A25-30&version=CSB] “Oh God, where are you? I failed the audition. I feel so foolish. Please help me.” Ember prayed, gasping, tears falling. Trembling underneath the weeping willow tree, her quiet space, she shut her eyes tightly, blocking out the world, focusing on what her grandmother used to say. Pray, darling. Jesus meets us anywhere. A voice called, “Go inside the workshop.” Startled, Ember opened her eyes. The tree had disappeared, and now in its place was a stone workshop. The door creaked open. Ember stepped inside. Ruby lights shone—heart-shaped, untouchable myriads of lights, glimmering as if from another galaxy. Hearing a gentle tapping, she moved forward. A heaviness slowed her steps as crying echoed around her. Layers upon layers of glass-like shards were stacked up on a workbench. So many that, at first, she didn’t notice the figure standing in the corner, his head bent down, obscured by the fragments around him. Patiently he worked, concentrating systematically on the broken, clear pieces until they transformed red, became whole, and floated away. “Ember, my cherished daughter. Welcome.” His words reverberated in her soul. “Each heart is created beautiful. But in this flawed world, they are so easily broken, like yours.” Ember’s throat dried up. She cast her head down, silent tears falling. “I am the Restorer. I understand your pain. I’ve lived with you, throughout your suffering. A heart may be shattered, but I can make it whole again. Trust in me to heal your brokenness, and in me you will find rest.” Ember looked up. She watched as, one by one, the hearts on the table were restored. The crying had stopped, and she saw the marks on the Savior’s hands, reaching out for each broken piece with love. His eyes were warm and deep, and she got the impression that a luminous light radiated from within Him. Falling to her knees, she prayed, “Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I offer my heart to you.” Suddenly, Ember was outside next to the weeping willow. The stone workshop had vanished. Her pain replaced with peace in her spirit. Jesus was with her. Unburdened and free, she ran back home, restored. • Cindy Lee • Today’s allegorical story offers a glimpse of the kindness and faithfulness of Jesus. So many things can happen in this fallen world that leave us feeling brokenhearted. Ever since the first humans sinned, life is not as it should be. Yet God doesn’t abandon us in our sin and brokenness. He reaches out—and restores us. Whether our sorrow is caused by the general imperfection of the world, other people’s particular sin, or even our own sin, Jesus always wants to heal us. What kinds of things have left you feeling brokenhearted? • Our hearts were made for relationship with God, and even though humans rejected God and chose sin instead, He paid the ultimate price to make that relationship possible again. When Jesus died for us on the cross and rose from the grave, He made the way to forgive our sins and make us new. Though we often look to created things to give us relief from our grief and despair, it’s only in relationship with our loving Creator that our hearts can truly be restored. How does Jesus meet us in our suffering and give us hope? • Sometimes when a tragedy or life-changing event happens, it can shake our beliefs or make us angry with God, and this is perfectly normal. Can you think of a time you felt this way? Consider taking some time to share, not just your sadness, but also your worries, your anger, and your fears with Jesus—the one who died for you and loves you dearly. In addition to talking to Jesus, who is a trusted Christian in your life you can be honest with about your pain and any questions you may have? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (CSB)

Tech Detox

READ: PSALMS 23; 139 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALMS%2023%3B%20139&version=NIV] As I pull up to one of my favorite hiking locations along the shores of Lake Michigan, I take a deep breath. Intentionally, I leave my phone in the car and head to the trail with only my car keys. Five minutes in, I feel the stress and demands of the week begin to lessen. Soft green leaves rustling in the breeze. Sunlight dappling the trees, cheery bird song beckoning. Scent of decomposing leaves, springy moss beneath my feet. I step out from under the trees, and Lake Michigan waves in greeting. Perched high on a dune, bare feet in smooth sand, I recite once again: The Lord is my shepherd (inhale), I shall not want (exhale). He makes me lie down in green pastures (inhale), He leads me beside still waters (exhale). He restores my soul (inhale)... I can feel it, that soul restoration that comes when I remove distractions, quiet my mind, focus my heart, and listen to my Jesus. Here, I am present and at peace. This isn’t a mindlessness, but a mindful fixation on being here with my Lord—walking with Him. On the journey back, I ask Him: What do you want me to meditate on today? He brings Psalm 139 to mind, memorized years prior. I whisper each verse as I walk, considering. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. I lift my eyes to the treetops, and there before me, ten or fifteen feet above, hangs a wooden cross about the size of my hand. I smile, surprised by joy again, unsurprised that He constantly shows me His love…sometimes I just need to slow down enough to see it. Years of hiking this very trail, and I’d never noticed, until I looked up. • Savannah Coleman • No one needs to tell us that our world is high-tech and fast-paced, but we all need to be reminded that we are capable of taking a break from both the rush and the technology. What do you feel God might be prompting your heart to do in this area? Perhaps it’s turning your notifications off for an hour while you read the Bible and worship. Maybe it’s being out in nature and not bringing devices with you. Even if you can only take fifteen minutes away from your phone, do it. We all need to start somewhere. Consider asking God to give you an idea you can put into practice this week, or even today, that will help you rely less on technology and more on being present to His presence. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Our Heavenly Father Knows Best

READ: ESTHER 4:5-17; ROMANS 8:18-39 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ESTHER%204%3A5-17%3B%20ROMANS%208%3A18-39&version=NLT] You may have heard of the old TV show Father Knows Best. This 1950s American sitcom was about a father and his family. You may or may not enjoy old black and white sitcoms, but the title might stir up some questions. It would be naïve to say that earthly parents always know best—they’re flawed people. But it is true that our heavenly Father knows best. Yet, it doesn’t always feel that way. Many times, I’ve asked God why He didn’t give me the things I prayed for. I lamented to Him when opportunities slipped from my grasp. And I cried after I had doors of opportunity slammed in my face. One Sunday, in the midst of lamenting over a lost relationship, I heard a sermon about the book of Esther. The pastor spoke about how, even though God isn’t mentioned by name in this Old Testament book, His handiwork is evident throughout the story. Reading it now, we can see God working through the good and the bad to deliver His people. The problem is, Esther didn’t get a lovely printed, leather-bound version of her story. She lived it. She was placed in the middle of the threat of her people’s extinction and told to act at the risk of her own life. Maybe looking back, she could see how God worked through the good and the bad for His purposes, but maybe not. The sermon on Esther comforted me. It reminded me that God does have a plan and He is working on it, even if He doesn’t give me all the details. In times of disappointment, I often fall back on the fact that God loves me and wants to show me His love. I know that God’s silence does not equal His absence. Jesus is with me no matter what, and He is working out His good purposes through it all. • Naomi Zylstra • Can you think of a time you prayed for something you didn’t receive? How did that feel? • In times of disappointment and heartache, God does not stand far off. He is so very near, longing to wrap us in His arms and remind us that He sees, and He cares. That’s why He invites us to honestly lament—to tell Him all about our pain and what we want Him to do about it. As we lament, we can remember that Jesus weeps with us and that He is working, not only for His glory, but also for our good. Consider taking some time to pour out your lament to Him today. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

A Bad Plan

READ: GENESIS 3:1-11; 1 JOHN 1:9–2:2 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=GENESIS%203%3A1-11%3B%201%20JOHN%201%3A9%E2%80%932%3A2&version=CSB] “Well, that was a bad decision.” “I can’t believe we did that.” “So, now what? You know He’ll find out.” “Hmmm. I have an idea. See all those bushes and trees over there? Let’s hide.” “Good plan.” Perhaps this is how the conversation went between Adam and Eve. Genesis 3 doesn’t tell us their exact dialogue, but in their story, we witness one of the worst strategies ever created. After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve felt ashamed and guilty, a common response to wrongdoing. Then, they decided to hide from God. True story. These two humans were trying to hide from the all-knowing Creator of the universe. Gently and clearly, God drew them out from their hiding places, clothed them, and barred them from the Garden of Eden. It was a humbling moment for Adam and Eve. As much as we might want to mock them, isn’t our natural response to hide when we do wrong? It’s embarrassing to admit the truth of our sin. Wouldn’t we all rather hide until it all blows over? But God has other plans, and He has gone to great lengths to make it possible for us to receive mercy and grace. How far? God the Father sent His very own Son as a payment for our sins. While we have committed sin in the darkness and hidden afterwards, Jesus Christ was willing to die during the middle of the day, in front of witnesses, so all could see His sacrifice. And then, three days later He rose again. Our sin is not the end of the story. We’re not meant to live in the dark shadows of shame. We all sin, every day, but Christ’s death pays the price for our sin, allowing us to live unashamed in the light. • Mike Hurley • How was God merciful in His response to Adam and Eve’s sin? • What should our response be when we sin? Why are we free to go to Jesus after we’ve messed up? (Hebrews 4:14-16) My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 (CSB)

Bringers of Good News

READ: ISAIAH 52:7-10; JOHN 3:16-17; ROMANS 10:5-15 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ISAIAH%2052%3A7-10%3B%20JOHN%203%3A16-17%3B%20ROMANS%2010%3A5-15&version=NLT] In the United Arab Emirates, immigrants are not allowed to proselytize (attempt to convert) anyone from the local population. This makes it hard to share the good news that Jesus loves us so much that He died and rose again to make the way for us to be with Him forever. But that did not stop my parents. My parents were Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Dubai. They are also Christians. They understood the limits that the local laws put on sharing the gospel with others. Thus, they decided to focus on sharing Jesus with a group of people that they felt they could reach out to better: OFW homeschooling parents like them. After connecting with a local church in Dubai, my mom began looking for a homeschool co-op to meet new people outside of church. She discovered that no co-op existed in our area, but she recognized a need for one. That was how the Discovery Gardens Homeschool Co-op was founded. It was composed mostly of Filipino expat families who were not Christians. With one other Christian family, we taught every child who attended about the truth of who Jesus is. That planted seeds in their hearts, and God made those seeds grow. The results were outstanding. Three of the families we taught in that one month eventually put their trust in Jesus Christ. That same year, I witnessed one of my friends be baptized in the Persian Gulf. During our time in Dubai, I learned something very important. I learned to make the most of the time God gives me (Ephesians 5:16). I never knew when it would end. We stayed in Dubai for only two years. For us to see such an impact in our short time there, I just know it’s one of the many proofs that nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37). • John Caleb M. Talusan • Jesus loves us so much that He died and rose again to make the way for us to be with Him forever. And He wants all people to come to Him (1 Timothy 2:4)! As Christians, He has invited us to do His kingdom work with Him. And a huge part of that work is telling others the good news, relying on the Holy Spirit’s power and wisdom. What an amazing honor! Consider spending some time in prayer, thanking Jesus for His death and resurrection and asking Him who He may be inviting you to share the gospel with. (For more about the gospel, check out our "Know Jesus" page.) • Can you remember a time when somebody shared the gospel with you? What was that like? For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. Romans 1:16 (NLT)