Read:
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
Respond:
It’s a habit, the way my fingers move along the screen, scrolling mindlessly through things I won’t remember tomorrow.
It’s a habit when I lose track of time,
looking up and seeing a dark room where the day used to be.
It’s a habit when I pull out my stack of books, journals, and Bibles,
only to let them sit next to me as I do anything else.
It’s a habit when I close them after mere minutes of pretending to read.
It’s a habit when, eventually, I stop getting them out at all.
It’s a habit, every time.
And I can’t even remember when it got to be this hard to resist.
If I get rid of my habits, but leave my heart emptied, I’m no better off than before. The same tendencies find their way back in, through the same door or another. I need a lasting solution, one that can break the cycle.
I have no answer but You. You calling me family, You calling me Yours, You calling me to Your will. It’s a big call, following Your will, but You never asked me to do it alone.
I’m sure that these habits will never stop trying to steal my attention. Their appearance is
simple, harmless even, but their grip is strong. Sin is relentless, but so are You.
I’ll continue to be weak, while You continue to be strong. Together, we’ll fight these habits and loosen their grip. One day, by Your grace, my only desire will be You.
Read:
While He was still speaking to the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him. But He replied to the man who told Him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 12:43-50
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From the “Sacrifice” chapter, inspired by Lent. For more prayers + meditations like this, grab a copy of Detailed Love: Meditations on God’s Intentional Presence, new to the shop.
Aubrey Major is an artist and designer living life joyfully in the Midwest. She has a new favorite color every week, loves laughing any chance she can get, and scrolls through Spotify playlists way more than any social media. She is passionate about loving the world through her creativity and designing unique things that help others see the goodness in their lives. Join her in making art and collecting inspiration here.
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