by Richelle Hecker
When our hearts lead us astray.
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.
Spring has sprung! Not really though. My heart simply wants this to be true. The calendar tells me that the first day of spring has come and gone, therefore, we ought to be able to begin prepping our gardens for planting. However, we live in Colorado, so no real planting can safely happen until after Mother’s Day. Some days look like spring with the warm sun shining and spring foliage peeking up out of the ground, but looks here are deceptive. We can still expect surprise snowfalls and freezing weather.
These tulips are just emerging in my front garden. Each year they begin their ascent to glory only to be destroyed before they reach their prime. Usually a few day freezes knocks them out. If they survive the frost then the bunnies nibble them back down to nubs. Unfortunately these flowers haven’t bloomed in very long time. I don’t even remember what color they are. Every year the sight of greenery gives me hope for beautiful, early flowers decorating my garden and every year I find that I am deceived.
“The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
I the Lord search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct
according to what their deeds deserve.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10 New International Version
There are times we start off in a certain direction believing God has called us to go that way only to have our plans destroyed. It is frustrating to have our hope and hard work ruined. Times like these make us want to give up. However, during these times we must seek God and His council. Often we are misaligned by our own wants. Even when we begin a journey from the right place it is easy to be led astray by the desires of our own hearts. Sometimes the things that seem best to us are not coordinated with what God is doing. When circumstances do not follow our plan it is time to re-calibrate. Spend time with God and ask Him what He is doing. You may be surprised at the colorful future He has waiting!
Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Thanks Richelle! Spot on! A very timely message for me as I trust in the Lord and lean not in my own understanding…