But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

For every performer, the stage is a life-long bedfellow. As a young pianist, then flutist, then singer, then Bible teacher, life on the stage has been second nature. Yet, along with it comes perpetual striving against the backdrop of spiritual immaturity. Performance is always accompanied by reviews and one’s life can easily be summed up by a long collection of others’ opinions. 

You were good or you were not. 

You were talented or you were not. 

You were a natural teacher or you were not. 

You were biblically sound or you were not. 

You were worth inviting back or you were not. 

Relentless evaluations.

Some time ago, I had a dream and woke up from it having heard these words. There is a current of grace, God’s grace, and when you find it ~ you can ride it, not fight it, by picking up your feet to be carried effortlessly by the Spirit.

Since that morning, I realized that somewhere along the way, my striving had ended. I learned how to find God’s current of grace on a stage, to think about those who were attending rather than myself, to think about tracking with God’s thoughts rather than my own. The stage became a platform to love others, to speak what they did not anticipate hearing, and to provide an environment where each can enter that sacred space where God speaks.

Writing a daily devotional is like taking the stage. But this morning, as you read this, I hope that you will be caught up with me into the current, that you will pick up your feet and be taken into the heart of God.

Jesus, let this current become so familiar that each of us will be startled when we put our feet down on the riverbed, only to find ourselves fighting against Your current. Make us aware and discontented to live that way. Amen