Exodus 9:16 – But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. (NIV)

After waking up yesterday morning and finding that I couldn't go back to sleep, I went to my bookshelf to find a book to read. I pulled one out and realized that I hadn't read it in a long time, so I flipped it open. It was written by Timothy Keller: The Reason For God. I also decided to read my daily devotional from PresbyCan: The Sure Foundation, written by Shirley Moulton. She wrote about her carefree early childhood experiences. After reading it, I sent her my words of encouragement:

Your early childhood experiences sound like a dream to me. Why is this? My childhood was the total opposite: fear; anxiety; worry about things that were not my responsibility; self-consciousness; and the lack of love and compassion. I could go on, but I will stop here. The good news is that my lifeline was Jesus. I had unlimited access to our family Bible, and I loved the stories in it. Those early Bible stories shaped my whole life, and here I am today witnessing for Jesus. I still have a far way to go, but one thing I know for sure is that Jesus Christ is my guide, and I am holding on to Him until the end of my journey here on earth. Thank you for sharing your childhood experiences with me today.

After opening the book, The Reason For God, what jumped out at me was the following: "Growth in character and change in behavior occur in a gradual process after a person becomes a Christian." And then, "It is often the case that people whose lives have been harder and who are 'lower on the character scale' are more likely to recognize their need for God and turn to Christianity." What a morning!

2 Timothy 1:9 – [God] has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. (NIV)

Often, it is when we are weak and we need something more that we seek out God. "Knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7b NIV) I knocked and walked in because God is my reason.

Psalm 57:2 – I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. (NIV)

How about you? Are you ready to explore why you, too, need God in your life?

Prayer: Gracious God, we thank You for being the reason why we are here. Heavenly Father, thank You for standing at the door, ready to help us when we reach out to You. We give You the praise and the glory. Amen!

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About the author:

Yvonne Myers <yvonneemyers@gmail.com>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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