July 24: THERE'S A LOT OF SECOND BEST AVAILABLE. JUST WALK BY LIKE IT ISN'T EVEN THERE.

Affirmation: I choose to be authentic. I let go of what other people think. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14
~~~~~~~~Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Continue to ponder1 John 4:16 and ask God to let you see and be a reflection of His love.


And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 NIV

~~~~~~~
Live in Grace. Walk in Love. By Bob Goff

                       July 24


THERE'S A LOT OF SECOND BEST AVAILABLE. JUST WALK BY LIKE IT ISN'T EVEN THERE. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 
MATTHEW 5:6 

In-N-Out is a famous burger chain, and there are plenty of locations where I live in Southern California. If you've ever eaten there, you know it may not be the healthiest choice, but they have some of the best burgers on the planet. Which is why, many times, I have faced the temptation to hit the drive-through even when there's a feast with friends or a wedding reception planned hours later. This usually happens when I skip lunch or get up extra early and my body is signaling for more fuel. Our hunger urges us to seek immediate satisfaction, and the apple we brought with us doesn't stand a chance next to a burger with everything on it. It proves a point. We easily settle for second best when a feast is already prepared for us. 


We do this in a lot of other ways too. We settle for work that doesn't inspire us because we want some fast cash. We settle for friends who put a wet blanket on our dreams and constantly bum us out, but they're available so we keep inviting them into our lives. We settle for lives that fall far short of our imagi­nation because short-term pragmatism wins out over long-term perseverance. 


We don't need to feel ashamed about our tendencies. All of us have settled for second best at some point in our lives. I think it's part of being human. The only thing worse than settling for second best today is allowing shame to keep you there tomorrow. 


The good news is this: there are always second chances. If the path you took overpromised and underdelivered, then get back to dreams you started out with, and let today be the day you hold out for your God-given passion. You don't need to settle for second best anymore. 


What have you been hungering for lately that isn't God's presence? 

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