Opening Prayer: O Lord, forgive me when I am more concerned with being comfortable than I am with being godly. I realize that godliness never comes easy, so whatever it takes to make me into the person you made me to be, help me be open to that. Amen.
Scripture: Hosea 6:1-2
Journal: How is God tearing you to pieces these days that he might heal and restore you? Do you trust him in that?
Reflection: “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” (Hosea 6:1-2)
There is a tearing to
pieces that comes from love and results in healing and restoration. It is a tender but severe tearing, a
stripping away of all that binds and hinders and enslaves. It is a tearing that feels like death, but is
really life, because it involves the stripping away of all that is false, in
order to leave only what is true and beautiful.
That’s the kind of tearing and injuring God does when we
are courageous enough to return to him.
It is a tearing and an injuring that helps us become all that he dreamt
us to be. So when you find yourself in
his crosshairs, do not be afraid. What
is happening to you might feel like death, but it is really life. Ultimately, it is both good and
beautiful.
Prayer
Closing Prayer: O Lord, I realize that in order to make me all you desire me to be, sometimes that is going to involve the tearing away of all that is not you. All I ask is that you be as gentle as possible with me and give me the courage and the trust to stand up under it.
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