1 Peter 5:6: Woven with Care
Step 1: Pray. Select.
During my prayer time today, as I struggled to quiet my mind from the busyness going on and the Christman holiday looming in the short distance, the words "humble yourself" kept coming to mind.
Begrudgingly, I knew those words, "humble yourself," were the exact words the Holy Spirit wanted me to investigate since they were clearly stirring something up in my flesh. At this point, anything that usually makes me want to run away from prayer is the very thing I need to run to so I can draw closer to Jesus so he can share my yolk.
I stop what I am doing, "humble myself," and start getting into the word. But...before I surrender entirely, I need to set some boundaries with God. Right, like that ever works! What's that saying? "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans."
I looked up and prayed in the most honest way I knew how today, "Okay, God. I am here and ready to explore this "humble yourself" thing; however, if you plan to convict me, I will accept your will as I always do, but I am not thrilled about it so take it easy on me please."
I mean, come on! Like, that is all I need, is God wagging his finger at me today telling me to "humble myself" when I feel like I am already underwater with decorating for Christmas, moving my elderly Father from the home he lived in for the past twenty years to come live with us, driving two teenagers all over our city for the Thanksgiving break and get to every Friends-giving, Family-givings, Couples-givings (I hope I didn't hurt any other 'givings' feelings if I left a few out). And, after this weekend, we will gear up for Christmas with the family with only three weeks left before sliding into the holiday-home base as 2025 drops the mic on all of us announcing the New Year.
Worried about what God would say next and my ego fearing conviction that I was potentially not humble, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to stop the rat race in my mind and get still. Once I slowed down to focus on breathing and my turkey brain stopped running wild, I started my practice today by looking up scripture online that applied to the words the Holy Spirit was gently trying to get through to me: "Humble yourself."
As I sifted through the options, 1 Peter 5:6 stood out above others.
"That's the one! Whew, step one is complete!" Just then, like a mighty rushing wind as the Holy Spirit tends to do, I felt an overwhelming sense of how important each of us is to make up the living body of Christ the way God intended fully.
I pushed that State Puff Marshmellow Man Ego aside and said, "Thank you, God! Thank you for humbling me to stop and be reminded of all the good in life. Thank you for being able to pray, reach you anytime, and listen to me! Thank you for the chaos of the holidays and for giving me friends and family to have seven times seventy 'givings.' All kidding aside, thank you for loving me and sending Jesus to die for me."
Let me stop for a moment and say, if you are reading this right now, thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to read this devotional. I am grateful we do not have to walk this life alone and are together!
Okay, let's get into it!
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
Therefore, humble yourself, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for he cares for you - 1 Peter 5:6(NKJV).
After reading the scripture three times, the following words began to pop out like heated popcorn kernels of the heart (please forgive the food references; it is the holidays...LOL).
Humble Yourself
He May Exalt You
In Due Time
He Cares For You
Step 3: Re-Write
Adding my name to the front and with a focus on the words that stood out, here is the sentence I came up with for today:
Jennifer, humble yourself so that He may exalt you in due time, for He cares for you.
And just like that, God knows how to melt my heart. "He cares for you" really got me. When we all care for so many others during this time of year, don't forget God still sees you and cares for you. WOW!
Now that I think about it, His prayer request list must be off the rails this time of year! And He still showed up for me today. I am in total awe and overwhelmed with gratitude!
Step 4: Visualize
It is time to surrender. I am ready now.
I close my eyes, lean back in my chair, humbled by this powerful instruction, and envision a gigantic, colorful quilt. I focus on each thread and how vital every individual string is in creating a larger picture. While God has already seen the finished product, I watch as He gently orchestrates the process, harmoniously commanding each string onto the fabric at the perfect time and season to reveal the next portion of His masterpiece.
I watch the strings leap off their spools with excitement at the sound of their master's voice, realizing they have been waiting their entire life for the moment to be chosen. They eagerly fly and twist in the air as they leave their individual spool on the way to the blank fabric canvas of destiny, answering the call without seeing the outcome.
I hear joyous laughter as they dive gleefully into the spaces between the other strings, filling the gaps where they belong. They were always meant to be there; they just had to wait for the right time to keep the order and execute the master quilter's vision.
As they fulfill their purpose in the blanket, they tether to one another, becoming more tightly knit. Instead of feeling restricted, they create a cozy atmosphere by coming together, surrounding themselves with the blanket of God's love and His people or other strings. This blanket feels like home. Warm, full of life, secure, and safe. It is the type of home God intended all of us to have—a home I can model after and make for my amazing new husband and our two children. A place to belong, free of the past, and excited for the future!
I can't help but want to touch the parts that are complete. I walk up to the quilt, taking in the tactical feeling of the soft threads forming shapes and lumps under my fingertips. Some areas rise above others, while the background remains sturdy and constant. Nothing competes with each other; everything is complimentary.
As I stay there admiring the work done so far, and curiosity fills my heart with what might be ahead, I feel something tugging at me. It is a string that I don't recognize. It is uniquely made and carries its weight in gold.
As I follow this magical string to find its origin, I realize it is attached to me! As I stood back to humble myself at the majesty the creator was weaving in front of me, without realizing it, I was the string, or the missing piece who would be called next to contribute to the bigger picture. Through my humility and adoration of my Father, it was finally my turn to answer the call.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The question(s) that came to mind were:
So what is the problem? After everything you've shown me, why do I feel hesitant, even nervous? Every other string jumped in head first and knew what to do. Or at least it seemed like they did from the outside looking in?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
I close my eyes again and wait for Holy Spirit to answer.
Then I hear, "If your Father has called you and pulled at your heartstrings, why do you not believe He will do what He says He will? Take a leap of faith like your brothers and sisters and join them so you will never walk alone again. Your Father has good plans for you and a strong foundation. So run and do not be weary, and know that as He was with Moses, so shall He be with you. He will not abandon you or forsake you. He delights in you."
Sitting here, receiving this good news, and hearing my Father delights in me sends my heart leaping, ready to run the race God has in store for me. I am now prepared to dive in just like the other strings in my vision, especially in my faith journey, to see through this blog and prayer practice for the year ahead and leave an imprint and legacy on the portion of the quilt assigned to me. I am well equipped to obediently carry my weight with God, splitting my yolk and sharing my walk alongside other believers as one family in Christ the way God intended.
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
I have two trusted friends who will help confirm what the Holy Spirit spoke into my life today. Make sure that if you are doing this practice alongside us, you also select two people to pray over your revelations.
If you need prayer or someone to pray with you, remember to connect Here. Remember, you are not alone!
Step 8: Share. Testify
Once I have an update, I will report how God used this experience to direct my steps in this blog.
If you workshoped 1 Peter 5:6(NKJV) with us using the 8-Step C.W.H.S. Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.
If you have a miracle or testimony to share, don't forget to spread hope @Miracle Miles. We want to see how God is working in your life!
Conclusion:
Let this be the first of many incredible experiences we have together, friends, as we continue to share how God's word is true, alive, and active, how we are better, more powerful, and fearfully made for a time such as this and required to bring our portion to the table to complete God's vision leaving a legacy for the future, revealed in due time for all the world to see. To God Be The Glory Forever and Ever Amen!
