Today’s Daily Bread ~ Safety Scissors

2 Timothy 1:6-7 – This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

I have a craft bin for my kids.  In it you’ll find all kinds of things: construction paper, feathers, beads, stickers, washable markers and safety scissors.  The scissors have a metal blade surrounded by plastic so little ones can’t cut themselves.

I like to drag the bin out on cold or rainy days.  With all of the fun, colorful things there are to play with in it, they are immediately drawn to the scissors.  They’ll sit quietly, happily cutting and making a mess until something else catches their attention, and off they run.  Then I repack the bin and put it away for next time.

Everything in the box belongs to them.  It is my gift to them, and they can access it (almost) anytime they want.  I simply keep it out of their reach so they won’t get into it and make an unsupervised mess, but it is theirs for the asking.  I have no desire to withhold anything in the craft bin from them.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Self-discipline is an area where I lack.  I know I need to take a day and clean out my closet, but I just can’t seem to do it.  I know I need to pick up that basket of laundry that’s been staring at me for two days, but I haven’t done it yet.  We know we need to put down the cookies and pick up the carrots.  We know we need to turn off the TV and pick up our running shoes.  We know we need to set the alarm thirty minutes earlier and take out our Bibles.  But we don’t do it, or at least we don’t do it consistently.

Sometimes I surprise myself (and my husband).  I’ll get a burst of energy out of nowhere, and Mike will come home to a clean house, bathed kids and a set table.  However, by the next day I’ve usually fallen right back into my old ways.

It occurred to me, as I was asking God about this in my prayer journal, that I don’t always have that spirit of power, love and self-discipline because I fail to ask for it on a regular basis.  Just like my kids and the safety scissors. 

I really strive to keep TV to a minimum.  I would much rather see my kids cutting, pasting and coloring.  However, while the items in the craft bin belong to them, they must behave in order to enjoy the privilege of playing with them.  If the kids are fighting, or if they haven’t first picked up their other toys, they aren’t going to get the coveted safety scissors.  In much the same way, we are far more likely to enjoy the Lord’s blessings – the blessings that He has promised us and already bestowed upon us – when we are walking in obedience.

Something I’ve struggled with, and still sometimes struggle with is this:  If the Lord has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, then where is it?  How do I tap into it?

Deuteronomy 4:29 – From there you will search again for the LORD you God.  And if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him.

By walking in obedience.  We really are the only things that get in the way of God’s blessings.  Absolute “blessing blockers” include but are not limited to: gossip, laziness, filthy language, provocative apparel, idolatry, withholding our time, talents and finances, over-imbibing and under-serving.  Sin is anything that separates us from God.  I will not reward Caitlyn and Nicholas when they misbehave.  Neither will God reward us when we pull away from Him.

By asking often.  My children can play with those safety scissors anytime they ask.  But once they have finished playing, back into the bin they go.  Our relationship with Jesus is not a one-time prayer.  It’s not about asking the Holy Spirit into our heart and then going along on our merry way.  It takes maintenance, time and effort.  I can have an absolutely Spirit-filled day on Monday, and then feel dull and unattached on Tuesday.  We need to seek the Father every day in prayer and in the Word.

By stepping out in faith.  We also need to understand this: that spirit of power, love, and self-discipline is with us whether we feel it or not.  Proverbs 3:5 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”  Proverbs 3:7 says “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil.”  Some mornings I wake up and just don’t feel like writing.  I feel uninspired and disconnected.  But I plug away anyway.  I sit down with my coffee, a candle and my prayer journal, and I pour it out to God.  Then, as He directs my fingers, I type.  He never fails to deliver when I step out in faith and obedience.

Romans 8:16-17 – For His Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.  And since we are His children, we will share His treasures – for everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours, too.  But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for calling us Your children.  God, would You please let us feel Your Presence today?  Please help us to tap into Your Holy Spirit, which You have already given us through Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help us to walk in victory; with power, love and self-discipline.  Help us to draw closer to You.  As You bless us, remind us to bless others.  Make our hands quick to serve, our hearts quick to love, and our ears keen to hear Your voice.  Make us quick to listen and slow to speak.  God, we offer You our lives to do with as You wish.  Help us delight in obedience to Your Word.  Let us love what You love and hate what You hate.  Help us to shine Your light, that we might witness to those who don’t know You.  We love You so much, Father.  We ask these things in the beautiful, precious, holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.