From the Edges – Morning Devotional- The Separation

From the Edges – Morning Devotional
Pastor Calvin Cook – April 30, 2024
This week focusing on Luke 5
Push Out Into the Deep
DAY 8 – The Separation
Scripture focus – Luke 5:27-28 After this he (Jesus) went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

This morning my heart has been focused on noticing the simple but important things of life. Many times, it is the simple, un-noticed things that are the most important things that will bring calmness to our life. Outside our backdoor is a single tulip plant. This tulip has some special meaning as it has endured much where it is located. For weeks I have been watching this tulip grow as spring continues to tease us with its appearance. Yesterday it turned from a bud into a full bloom. I have to say I it gave me a good feeling. It drew me back to be reminded of the simple things of life I often miss. A moment of focus and reflection. This tulip is in a place that I walk by several times a day and every time I walk by it I feel the same. This simple tulip is God’s gift to me in some very interesting times to be reminding me to not get so absorbed to notice these simple things in life and the quietness that God places in our life.

As I read once again through Luke 5 – I am reminded of the call of Levi (Matthew) by Jesus to follow him. Levi had a very important decision to make, to leave the work and dishonesty of the life that had absorbed him, verse 28 reads “leaving everything, he rose and followed him”.

The call of Jesus became the separating point between what was sketchy and what was honorable. It will be the same in our life. Just not hearing the call but answering the call. I realize that this is easier said than done. I realize this is the hardest thing for us to do. Because there are many situations that happen in our life that we don’t believe we can ever rise up in our relationship, or even walk with or follow Jesus the way we are called to. We are harsher on ourselves than we need be, at least that is what Jesus tells us.

I truly believe this morning that new life in Jesus and the best life happens by remembering and taking to heart the simpleness of faith. The belief and trusting in God even when we can’t see the tulips and the breathes of new life that is brought into our life by the presence of God.

I am praying this morning that I never become so absorbed with the problems and things of the world that I miss what is important. Miss what God is speaking into my life and truly pray that you and I will respond accordingly.

May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts.