“…This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
Today began with birds chirping, movement of the wind, the smell of fresh air, dew on the ground and the sun rising from the East. What a wonderful day it is to be alive and spend time with the Lord as I make plans for the day. I have set a goal to walk in the park at least five days a week and push it to seven when I am feeling ambitious. After a restless night of sleep my self talk said, “Stay in bed—don’t go walking today.” But with the Lord’s help I pressed on to get dressed and headed out to the park.
The walks in the park allow time to observe the beauty of God’s creation and to spend quiet time with the Lord. It is so important to meditate on the goodness of God and allow your mind to rest before you tackle the worries of the day. During my walk the beauty of nature is all around. The spring flowers and trees are in bloom and the air smells crisp—fresh. It reminds me how nature completely relies on God for its every need. The plants and trees bloom right on time each year even when the winters have been harsh or mild—they do not miss a beat. Nature relies on God to provide rain and other nutrients for growth without worrying about how and when He is going to do it.
If only we could learn to follow the pattern of nature—oh how joyful we would be. Every action of obedience brings you closer to God and gives you an inner peace that surpasses understanding—as you seek God first each day He provides guidance for everyday living. Yield your every need and concerns to God and allow Him to show how much joy He can manifest in your life.
Matthew 6:25-34 [TLB]
25 “So my counsel is: Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. 26 Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27 Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don’t worry about theirs. 29 Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?
31-32 “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, 33 and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.
34 “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.[a]
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank you for this glorious day! Help us to seek you first each day and rely on you for our every need. Amen!