The Upper Room Devotion for June 30th 2023 was written by Máire Íde Ní hÁgáin of Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Scripture
1 I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2Then I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” 3Then the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, 4and said to him, “Run, say to that young man: Jerusalem shall be inhabited like villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and animals in it. 5For I will be a wall of fire all around it, says the Lord, and I will be the glory within it.”
LETTING GOD DEFINE ME
I first read today's scripture reading when I was in college. At the time, I was trying to figure out what I was doing with my life. All these years later, that question has not entirely gone away. We live in a world of checking boxes; clarity of purpose, achievements, and attainable goals hold a lot of weight. Those things have their purpose. It's good to be intentional about what we do and how we do it. However this verse challenged me - and continues to challenge me - to let go of my desire for security and my need to be in control.
As scary as letting go may be, this challenge comes with a promise that far exceeds its demands. When I don't build defensive walls to make myself feel safe, when I don't try to measure and control what is within me, I am free to give myself to God. God does more with our lives than we can ask, hope, or imagine. We trade in the security of human walls to accept in faith that God will be a wall of fire around us. We trade in the measurements of worldly accomplishments to give God space to be our glory within.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to let go of our desire for control and to rest in the knowledge that you take care of us better than we can take care of ourselves. Amen.
-Máire Íde Ní hÁgáin