Daily Devotion for October 26, 2006

The Beauty Beneath

 

Search me, O 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

 

I recently moved my office and ran across a framed certificate of recognition that I was given many moons ago while working in Youth Ministry at a congregation. As soon as I turned it over, I remembered why it was stored away in a box rather than hanging on my wall.

 

You see, after I had received it, I put it in the trunk of my car. When I next saw it, I noticed that the writing had become smeared and I assumed that some water had gotten under the glass and ruined the certificate. However, now that I've run across it again and had a closer look, I realize that the smearing is just some ink on the outside of the glass. The certificate itself is not harmed at all and a little water wiped away the problem.

 

The incident left me to wonder at just how easy it is to focus on the negative smears in our lives and forget the good that is under the glass protected. In a society that constantly demands us to be our best, to avoid failure at any cost, it's too easy to forget the good that God has placed in us as part of his creation. Yes, we are sinful; yes, we make mistakes; but YES we have a heavenly Father that blesses us and walks with us despite our failures.

 

Prayer
Thank You, Father that You know me for who I am, even when I'm not sure; thank You that You believe in me, even when I can't believe in myself; and thank You that Your love wipes away the smears that darken my soul, so that even I can catch a glimpse of the beauty that lies beneath. Amen.

Did someone send you this Devotion? Would you like to receive future ones directly? Click here to subscribe.

Want to learn more about the Bible Jesus used – The Old Testament – and the Bible Jesus taught?  Enroll today in Word Among Us – Cover to Cover study of the Bible starting in Genesis and going through Revelation including the inter - testamental period, using history and archeology and Biblical culture to make the text alive - taught by Tim Hetzner.
Class sites are across the USA. Click here for more information.

Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
		(866) 455-6466 • Fax: (866) 451-1476
		Web Site: lcc.LutheranChurchCharities.org
		E-Mail: TimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.org
At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom