‘But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.’ (v13) 2 Peter 3:8–13

When I struggle with something, one major challenge is to keep things in perspective. In all the psychometric tests, my character traits reveal I quickly move from calm to storm, and tend to catastrophize my future.

It has taken time to learn not to gaze at a half-empty, but rather a half-full glass. Indeed, perhaps I should really learn to live with a glass that runs over with God’s grace, regardless of circumstance (Psa. 23:5).

We are all on a learning adventure; it’s called spiritual formation. One reason my cup’s half empty is my failure fully to surrender my life to God’s care.

I feel compelled to take some responsibility for my present and my future. Jesus points out that each day has enough troubles of its own. I discovered that I could easily miss today, consumed only with my tomorrows yet to come.

It’s healthy to pause and reflect regularly on the fact that, just as I can’t add a single hour to my life (Psa. 139:16), I can, with confidence, serve and celebrate God in the present moment. For we all want friends and family to be present with us, a presence too often stolen by the relentless demands of our social media feeds. We each serve at the pleasure of the Lord who alone shapes the direction of our life.

RELATED SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Psa. 23; 139; Isa. 40:21–31; Matt. 6:19–27.

AN ACTION TO TAKE: Are you comfortable entrusting all of your life to God? Where are the sticking points? Talk to God, and close friends, about these and find God’s way forward for you.

A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, help me to build my confidence in Your total care and provision for all of my life. Amen.’


Photo by Ohmky on Unsplash

Micha Jazz is Director of Resources at Waverley Abbey, UK.