July 25, 2019
Room to Breathe
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]? (Romans 2:4b, AMP)
Friend to Friend
I was speaking in Georgia that particular weekend. On day two of the retreat I woke up early and turned on the water in the beautiful tiled shower. As it heated up I noticed that the showerhead was mounted on an off-centered pole. It seemed very low, and was spraying straight along the plane of the wall. Odd.
I’m a tall chick, so as I stepped in and positioned myself under the showerhead I had to squat and stand very close to the wall. {Awesome. A quad workout! Shower bonus.}
As I shampooed my hair, my legs were on fire from squatting. And then a thought crossed my mind… MAYBE the showerhead can be raised!
I turned around and tried to lift it higher. It went higher! YES!
What a difference! I was giddy … grateful that I could stand tall as I finished up. Not overly bothered by the fact that I was still hugging the wall to catch the water stream.
And then another thought popped into my groggy, haven’t-had-my-coffee-yet head…
MAYBE the showerhead also turns toward the center!?
Cautiously optimistic, I raised an eyebrow and turned around one more time to give the head a wiggle. It was adjustable! FANTASTIC!
The space was amazing! I was free to move. Free to stand tall. Free to relax. And free to finish what I’d started with a fresh joy and happy heart.
A few small tweaks made all the difference!
In the book of Romans, Paul addressed a few areas where the early church needed to make some tweaks. He spoke of the sinfulness of all people and also about the difference in the way non-believers and believers see and address sin. He told the Roman believers to be humble in the ways they judged others and to recognize that God is the Judge of all. He encouraged followers of Jesus to examine their hearts and reminded them that it is the kindness of the Lord that leads us to repentance.
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4, NLT)
This is as important for you and me today as it was for the people of the early church back then. As I consider my funny shower escapade in Georgia, I’m reminded that a few small spiritual tweaks each day can make all the difference too.
As a follower of Jesus, I have the opportunity every day to step into the fresh grace of God - to be washed in His goodness. As I do He showers mercy and faithfulness over me that renews my soul. When I open my heart in prayer, His Spirit connects me to the path of His will and convicts me toward holiness.
These moments of connection and conviction cause me to consider the condition of my heart as well as the circumstances that surround me.
I’m forced to assess soul situations, my emotions, edgy responses, unkind words, missed opportunities, snippy attitudes, and the myriad of rebellion I’ve got going on.
As the Spirit of God brings these matters to me I address each one, then ask the Lord to lift the showerhead of my heart up a little or over a bit. To align my will to His and set me in a spacious place where I can stand tall and free.
His grace meets me in the asking.
Grace gives our souls room to breathe.
As we make the small adjustments of confession in our hearts and breathe in grace, we’re renewed and refreshed.
Yes, please.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for giving me this day. As I quiet my heart before You, please show me the ways that I can grow more in Your holiness. Create a clean heart in me, Lord. Free me freshly in Your grace.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Spend a few moments in prayer and reflection about a small tweak or two that the Lord might be leading you toward.
Read Psalm 51. Breathe in grace.
More from the Girlfriends
Each GRACEOLOGIE with Gwen Smith podcast episode is filled with fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations that will help you know and trust God more.
These discussions encourage you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the GRACE of Jesus in the midst of cluttered, messy days. CLICK HERE to listen on iTunes, or visit GwenSmith.net/Graceologie for more information.
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Originally published Thursday, 25 July 2019.
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