From dust and Your breath I was formed and have life—“Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.”
It would probably serve me well to meditate on that a bit. And not only to knock a little pride out of me, but to be in awe of You. I was made by You—not by myself, no matter how hard I have worked or how much I have done. I was made to live in relationship with You. You made me in Your image.
You placed me in a beautiful garden to enjoy and live in dependence on You, not by my own efforts. I was just to obey. The broken world I live in reminds me that we, as humans, didn’t obey and don’t usually.
In Your image, You gave me free will—I can do whatever I want. It’s a great thing, but so many times I’m shortsighted, have clouded vision or simply have bad judgment. You tell me in Your Word, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” Definitely a verse I should commit to memory—and reflect on frequently.
Even in the hard, when I live intentionally and fully “awake” with You, life is better. The great things are more joyful. The good is more satisfying. I’m content with what I have, not pining for more. And the hard, the bad, the ugly—it’s doable, not crushing. I’ll take it!
With You Lord I am complete. With You Lord I can walk through life. I just have to use that free will You gave me, and to choose to do so daily.
In the Ever Present and Life Giving Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
