Bloom

Today is the 21st day of the 21 day prayer challenge from the summer study we did with women at our church. (Mark Batterson/The Circle Maker)

Can I tell you that if I make it through today without completely destroying my testimony as a Christ follower in the eyes of the public, it will be entirely by the grace of God?

So far this morning, I have been less than cheerful with two AT&T technical support people as the “this may take 15 minutes to install” process took 45.

I took a “short cut” on the way to work that led me on an unexpected curve AWAY from the street I needed to be on.

I purchased a drink at the store next door with minutes to spare to open ours. The girl had multiple issues getting the gadgets hooked up on the machine. Finally, I walked out the door with my drink. As I unwrapped the straw, I dropped the  wrapper. Stooped to pick it up and the drink slid out of my hands and is now drawing flies out front.

And I want to ask God – WHAT IS UP???? I am trying ….. TRYING …. to stay focused on YOU and on prayers and on drawing circles around things and trusting You and wow…..

Wah. Wah. Wah.

Because all of that is just so much distraction.

And the real stuff is happening.

Like the purity retreat for girls that our church is hosting today and tomorrow. Our local crisis pregnancy center does one every year.

They are calling it Bloom and it is based on Ephesians 2:10.

And when I think of the absolutely beautiful women who are involved and the hopes and dreams they have for these young women who will attend, I am brought to my knees at their love and devotion to Christ and to His Body.

And when I think of the smirky jokes I have heard from popular comedians about purity and virginity, I am brought to my knees in tears by how much opposition there is for them.

The enemy wants to take something far more than a Friday soda treat and smear it across the sidewalk.

But God….

I got a text from one of those precious women who not only serves at the center, but serves in my life as my pastor’s wife and dear friend.

She asked us to pray for the retreat.

So I did. And I reminded God how much opposition those daughters of His are facing.

And then I opened my email. And He reminded me.

He knows….

The daily devotion from Eastview Christian Church in BLOOMington today is….

Ephesians 2:10     

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God has great plans for our young men and women.

Do you have some young singles in your life?

Embrace them. Encourage them. Pray for them.