Great Plains Daily Devotional for 2/23/2021

Ephesians 5:15-17

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

This week, I was curious to see what results arise from a Google search for: “Things that look easy, but are really hard.”
 
The first article outlined what things people originally believed to be easy, but turned out to be very difficult to do once they were actually attempted. I got a good chuckle out of the list and wanted to share it with you. I guarantee you’ve probably tried at least one of these:
 

• Whistling really loudly
• Having a bedtime as an adult
• Playing on the monkey bars
• Standup comedy
• Making the perfect pancake
• Making it all the way through the original Mario Brothers
• Being a teacher

 
I would like to add blowing up a balloon to that list. This simple act gets the best of me every time.
 
John Wesley knew all too well that we do a good job of overcomplicating things that should really be uncomplicated in nature. So he offered three simple rules for living out our faith in our daily lives. These rules are:
 

• Do No Harm
• Do Good
• Stay in Love with God

 
They are simple at first glance, but simple doesn’t always mean easy.
 
We don’t haphazardly walk into practicing these rules.
We have to be intentional with how we spend our time.
We have to be intentional in cultivating love.
We have to be intentional in cultivating the fruit of the Spirit.
We have to be intentional about having community conversations.
We have to be intentional about cultivating our relationship with God and our neighbors.
It takes discipline and commitment.
 
I invite you to be intentional during the season of Lent and open yourself up to the presence of God found within you and all of creation.

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15