Need a Place to Hide?

Fresh Manna 2009© by Renee Burt

When I was little, I found comfort in sucking my thumb and twisting my hair into little knots. The problem was I wound up with a significant overbite…thus earning me the nickname of “Bucky Beaver.” I also lost significant chunks of my hair, when my finger would get stuck in the knot of hair and start turning purple. My older sister, Sharon, loved cutting hair, so thankfully, she was always willing to cut the knot off and set my finger free. And my mom tried to help it not look too noticeable by getting my hair cut in a short pixie cut, but there were holes where there wasn’t any hair! I have pictures of myself at this age, and suffice it to say, I don’t have a single one in a picture frame!

Thankfully, I outgrew these childish tendencies that were affecting my appearance. But how about those childish tendencies that no one can see? Those are the ones we so often never deal with…and they turn into adult-sized tendencies that don’t just affect us, but those around us. What kind of tendencies am I talking about? Maybe it’s the tendency to sulk or give someone the silent treatment when you get mad…or to get angry when you don’t get your way…or to talk behind other people’s back…or to want to “get back” at someone who has done you wrong! And those things have got you tied up in knots and are cutting off the love of God that He wants flowing out from you towards other people. So do you need some help to cut that knotty tendency out of your life? God is more than willing to help you. And when these things get cut out, it won’t leave holes…but instead, the “picture” of your life will be looking better all the time!

I Peter 2:1-3 MSG ~ So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.

More devotions from Renee’s Fresh Manna