by Desiree Bustamante

Even your simplest acts of love were planned by God long ago for His purpose.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

My Great Uncle Louis often told our family this joke: A man said, “The train just went by here.”  “How do you know?” asked another man. The first man replied, “Because it left its tracks.”

Yes, it’s a lame joke, but many of us are feeling like our tracks are overshadowed by the world’s current events. We try to be kind and spread a little happiness in someone’s day. We bake two pumpkin bread loaves and give one to a neighbor, we join a socially distant car parade to celebrate a birthday, we might even donate to an important social justice cause or support children and families in need. Some days it seems so ineffective. The world continues its same path and our kindness feels small amid overwhelming events.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation

God planned for YOU to do good things long ago. He knew what the world would be like in your lifetime. He knew all the struggles you would face and the problems of 2020. God created you to shine His light in dark corners of your world through your straightforward acts of love, to reveal His mercy and grace to everyone in your path. No act of mercy or gesture of love is ever insignificant or wasted by a powerful God who can do all things through His children.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Galatians 6: 9,10 New Living Translation

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado