Daily Devotional

Even as a child I struggled with the question, “Why am I here?” I remember one “dark night of the soul” at the age of nine when I was afraid I was going to die. I wept before God: “Lord, what do you want with my life?” I went to sleep with a great sense of peace that God has His hand on me. I prayed that familiar childlike prayer:
Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

As a young adult, during a very heavy season of discouragement, I cried out often, “God, if You are real, show me.” He answered that cry of my heart in 1971 when I gave my life to Jesus Christ. Even after I became a disciple of Jesus, I often asked, “What is Your purpose for my life?” I knew the popular theological answer: To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” But I craved more specifics.

In reading Proverbs 16:4 I was reminded that the Lord has made “everything” for its own purpose. I asked myself, “Might that also include each me?” I needed to begin the practice of rehearsing a few of God’s purposes for keeping me alive.

• “I am a Beloved Child of God. Today, I will not lose focus on who I am and what I am             called to do."
• “I am a Soldier of the Cross. Today, I will not let myself get distracted from my duty to my Commander."
• “I am a Servant of God. Today, I will obey my Master at all costs.”
• “I am an Ambassador of Jesus Christ. Today, I will represent my King in everything I say and do.”
• “I am a Messenger of the Gospel. Today, I will join with others in praying and  participating in sharing the good news with the world.” 

Based on these promises and others, I re-wrote that old childhood prayer:
Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Give me the peace to make me still, That I may wake to do Your will.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.