OUR DEVOTIONAL

There was an airplane on the beach. An honest to goodness airplane! When my father was in the Navy and stationed at Pearl Harbor, we lived half a block away from the beach. Almost every day I was out on the sand looking for whatever treasures that washed up on the beach: pretty shells, strange bottles, seaweed, and yes even a private plane that had fallen off a barge.

To this day, I’m still hooked on beachcombing, but now I include conversation with the Lord while poking around the shore. A few weeks ago, I was walking along a stretch of beach that usually has very little in the beachcombing department. My expectations were seriously low when I asked, “What are we gonna find today God?” Expecting to see the usual unexciting sand, I looked down and literally laughed out loud: a single Brussels sprout was on the sand, right at my feet.

While a washed up airplane or misplaced vegetable might seem perfectly random, my God knew those quirky treasures would bring me delight because He loves me. Our amazing God knows His children intimately. He created each of us with divine intent, desiring to find joy in us as we find joy in Him. And the best part? Through Jesus’ gift of amazing grace via His brutal death, burial, and glorious resurrection, we have assurance that our connection –our intimate relationship – with Him will continue for all eternity. That’s right, forever.

It’s beyond remarkable that our Lord desires so much for us to be in His presence that He gave His life to make this happen. For me. For you. Are you open to the treasures that come with a rich, personal relationship with your Creator, both today and forever?

FAMILY MOMENT 

Take the family for a treasure hunt to the seashore or on a forest path. Moss and lichen, dramatic rocks, and beautiful driftwood are all items worthy of treasure status! Discuss how God created this delightful world for each of us to enjoy with Him because He loves us. Follow up (age appropriately) with how this great love makes a way for us to be part of the greatest treasure of all: a real and personal relationship with our Lord!

PRAYER & REFLECTION

Psalm 149:4 states “For the Lord delights in His people”. Your Creator wants you to engage in a real time relationship forever with Him because He loves you. If you find yourself struggling with any of the following thoughts, please don’t hesitate to contact a pastor or trusted ministry leader for prayer and counsel.

1. Have you recognized this eternal love and received Jesus’ amazing grace?
2. Are you looking at daily life and seeing trash on the beach instead of treasures? Let the Lord open your eyes and see how He delights in YOU today.