I love to look at snowflakes!. (Through a window, preferably. I hate being cold!) I especially enjoy snowfalls when the flakes are really big! It always amazes me, as I watch those soft, white flakes
drifting toward the ground, to think that each and every snowflake is unique. No two look exactly alike. When I think about how many snowflakes there are, that seems impossible, but I know that, since God made the snow, millions and billions of uniquely individual snowflakes is more than possible – it is reality.
Our lives with God are like those snowflakes. Each one of us has a unique walk with God. No two people are given exactly the same challenges, responsibilities, experiences, or blessings.
The time we spend praying each day will also be unique. God will call each of us to pray in a way that is as individual as we are. We will pray at different times of the day, for different lengths of time, and with a different style. Some will pray scripture, some will read written prayers, and some will write their own prayers. Still others will pray with short lists, long lists, or no list.
Our time spent with the Bible will be unique. Some of us will read the Bible through cover-to-cover, some will read from the Old Testament, some the New Testament, and some will read random selections each day. Some of us will study for hours, others for minutes. Some will meditate, some will memorize, others will do both.
While God gives us all the same basic commands, He will give each of us different personal convictions. He may allow some of us to do a specific activity, while clearly telling others of us that that activity is off-limits. God may ask me to do specific things that He doesn’t expect you to do. He may allow you to do things that He forbids me to do. Your convictions, your personal do’s and don’ts, will be different from mine. Mine will be different from my neighbor’s.
I encourage you to follow the advice of Jude 20: “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Live the life that God has given you to live. Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Focus you attention on the things God tells you to do and do them. Take care to avoid the things that God tells you to avoid. Spend time with God in prayer and in scripture the way that God leads you. Obey God in everything, His basic commands and His unique plan for your life.
Heavenly Father, guide each of us in the unique way in which You want us to go and help us to obediently follow that path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Scripture: John 21:15-23
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
What does your daily walk with God look like? Leave a comment. I'd love to hear about it!