Central Truth

In your midnight hour, do you quit or do you continue to worship and sing your praise to God for all to hear ?

Reflections

Through God's perfect timing, I didn't receive the information that I was writing this devotional until after it was actually due. Yes, you read that correctly. When I received the very polite email asking where was my inspirational, articulate and jaw-dropping-good-devotional assignment-that-is-so-excellent-that-Gabe-has-to-do-an-encore-sermon (Okay it didn't say that, but in my head it did) I was already struggling with juggling being a wife, mom and sales executive. I don't normally travel but this was a month of four trips, and then I got this email with a quick deadline. My first inclination was to reply there was no way I could get it done. I had already planned out the next three weeks in great detail and this was not a part of MY plan. 

As I sat on the plane, in tears, racked with guilt over being away from my family, feeling the pressure of looming deadlines and endless responsibilities, I chose to not work and instead, said a prayer to God and looked up the passage that I had been assigned. Next, it wasn't an earthquake but airplane turbulence which jolted me into fervent prayer and I realized that the passage was about getting the word out regardless of the situation. I had built a prison around myself just as real as steel and concrete, but unlike Paul and Silas, I was having my own pity-party. I was so caught up in me that I had lost sight of Him in my heart and as my number one priority. Once God shed this light upon my heart, I realized I needed to focus on telling His message instead of being focused on my mess. 

No matter how bad our situation and no matter where we are, we must continue to sing and praise Him so that His message of love and salvation are heard. That is our number one priority in every situation. So praise the Lord, with His help the prison bars evaporated. I spoke of the Lord throughout the trip and this assignment was written on my heart by God. I hope you like my song.

Discussion Questions

1.  Have you ever been in a situation where the last thing you thought of doing was praising God?

2.  What do you do to help get yourself out of the pit and start singing and praising God?