Each day is a gift. Life is challenging. The LORD is our refuge!

Do not hide Your face from me
    in the day of my distress!
Incline Your ear to me;
    answer me speedily in the day when I call!

For my days pass away like smoke,
    and my bones burn like a furnace.
My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;
    I forget to eat my bread. Psalms 102:2-4

 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
    He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field; Psalms 103:13-15

For the enemy has pursued my soul;
    he has crushed my life to the ground;
    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.

I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all that You have done;
    I ponder the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
    my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah

Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    My spirit fails!
Hide not Your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love,
    for in You I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to You I lift up my soul.

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
    I have fled to You for refuge.
Teach me to do Your will,
    for You are my God!
Let Your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground! Psalms 143:3-10

Do you ever have those days when you are tired and discouraged when you first wake up? In this ever-increasing unstable world, we must return our focus back on to the One who created us, and sustains us. It is union with Jesus that brings us back into alignment with our purpose. It is Jesus who imparts resilience within us.  He is the Vine we are the branches (John 15:4-5). We MUST be plugged into Him to produce ANYTHING of value. What is of value? The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). What can we produce that will last into eternity? Only those things He has given us to produce THROUGH Him. All worldly success and accolades will be purged in fire. What will remain of all your earthly efforts? What exactly have you done THROUGH Him? Not for Him. What exactly is He asking you to do THROUGH Him? What tasks has the Holy Spirit set before you? Do they seem impossible? If they are – that’s because they are to be accomplished WITH Jesus and THROUGH Him (Luke 1:37).

Is it easy? No. It takes constant surrender and honest humility to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It takes slowing down to listen to Him and blocking out ALL the other noise swirling around us. This might need to be done several times throughout your day to stay focused on Him. Taking a ‘pause’ to give it ALL back to Him.

Now that I have complete gray hair – I am very much more aware of the ‘numbered’ days I have left. Am I investing them wisely for eternity? Am I leaning into each and every divine appointment I have this day?

Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit – show me the way today. I give YOU all that I have and am, everyone and everything.

Lead on Jesus. I want to be in union with You. Restore our union.