Good morning! I hope your day is going well and that you find an opportunity to enjoy this beautiful day! Our Lenten devotional writer for today is Laredo Loyd. Laredo is a Sophomore from Little Rock, Arkansas, and is doing a double major in Political Science and Biology. I have recently gotten to know Laredo through his work as the SGA Chaplain. Through our conversations I got to know a man who is deeply committed to his faith, and who feels compelled to bring about social change as a result of that very real commitment. I was grateful that he accepted my invitation and even more grateful that he wrote such a thoughtful and insightful devotional for our community. I trust that you will enjoy reflecting on his words for us today. Blessings upon your journey, my friend…
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
I Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV)
It happens all too often that we get caught in the swing of things, living hour to hour and even day by day simply going through the motions and trying to make it to the next thing on our schedule. We become complacent; the bare minimum is good enough to get by, and then days come that make us wonder why it seems life isn’t going our way or just isn’t as vibrant as we’d desire.
It’s a common problem everyone goes through at times, but it’s just as simple to overcome. In scripture, we’re told, “Do it all for the glory of God,” meaning every second of our lives is an opportunity to fulfill that purpose the Lord has in store for us. With the introduction of Spring, new life during this Lenten season, there is no better time to refocus our mindset in this manner. If you’ve ever read The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo, the author sums this up perfectly:
“The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And, if you improve upon the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children. Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity.”
As the scripture and even this piece tell us, life need not be burdensome or a dull task that drains us day after day. Each second of every day is an encounter with the Lord and a chance to live our purpose for Him.
For example, each day offers the chance to truly appreciate the warmth of sunlight as you walk outside in the morning, to truly soak in every second of conversation with a friend as you pass by, and to truly immerse yourself in all you’ll learn and experience in the next 24 hours. Each day is another shot at making dreams come true, whether they be our own or anyone we come upon throughout the day.
Living with this in mind, remembering the good that occurs from the blessings we have each second of every day, is the first step towards a life of fulfillment, and a life of happiness from within and all those around us.
God Our Father, we give thanks for the many blessings you bestow upon us each and every day, and we ask for the strength and understanding to recognize and cherish them. Help us to live a life of passion: igniting our souls, fueling our love, carrying our friendships, stimulating our intellect, and pushing our limit. All this is possible, through You, and by giving glory to You in each second of every day. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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