I wanted to share the following devotional by Max Lucado because he is one of the most inspirational pastors I know and I love reading his books. I have been blessed to hear him speak at a Women of Faith conference and hear him preach at his home church in San Antonio. At left is a photo of Mr. Lucado with our 2008 Rio Bravo, Mexico mission team. (I’m on the right of Max.) We spent the night in San Antonio and attended church services at Max’s church before continuing our journey to Mexico.
by Max Lucado

Are you hoping that a change in circumstances will bring a change in your attitude? If so, you are in prison, and you need to learn a secret of traveling light. What you have in your Shepherd is greater than what you don’t have in life.

May I meddle for a moment? What is the one thing separating you from joy? How do you fill in this blank: “I will be happy when ________________”? When I am healed. When I am promoted. When I am married. When I am single. When I am rich. How would you finish that statement?

Now, with your answer firmly in mind, answer this. If your ship never comes in, if your dream never comes true, if the situation never changes, could you be happy? If not, then you are sleeping in the cold cell of discontent. You are in prison. And you need to know what you have in your Shepherd.

You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need.

How would you fill in the blank? Respond to this post below.