From the Edges – In a Good Place – Morning Devotional –

FROM THE EDGES – Morning Devotions
Pastor Calvin Cook – 5-24-24
In a Good Place –

Scripture focus – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“It feels good to be in this place”, were the words I wrote in my journal last night. This was after the second day of the Alleghany West Conference of the Global Methodist Church. The good place I speak of was not the Mt. Vernon University where sessions are being held. Was not the Air BnB we are staying in. Was not being with the people I love, people close to me, those who have become mentors or friends. The good place I am speaking about is feeling good where I am in the presence and purpose of God in my life. It is not about the journey, but the destination and I confess that I never want to leave.

Though the journey hasn’t been perfect or easy it has been a reassurance that along each step of the journey the guidance of the Holy Spirit has been there. Even in the times when thoughts and perceptions were in other places, there was the directing, guidance, pulling, and pushing of the Holy Spirit. I am thankful and doubly blessed for that!

Here is what I know. To be in the place we need to be is going to take a couple important things. Through reading scripture, teaching both offering and receiving, listening while praying it has become abundantly clear of the complete need of surrender. Not just to lay it down for a season, an hour, or a day, but to lay down burdens imposed by self and others and leave them there. I don’t know about you, but I have become weary from carrying burdens, not only my own, but others. It becomes an important ingredient to happiness to live securely within that assurance of release through forgiveness and receiving sanctification.

I know that I’m not there yet! I still have a long way to go. I will never be able to attain the completeness of the prize, but I must keep working toward it, keeping focus, and striving every day to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit.

Here is the caution, it is going to be tough. Not only do we battle outside forces, but we have a battle raging within ourselves that tells us we can never be good enough, never be better, never find healing for our scars, never be emersed in the Holy Spirit presence, leading, calling, loving, hopefulness. Well I have news for you, you can! If it happened with me and generations that have come before you and I, it can and will happen to you.

Hear the guiding words from 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.