Rise, Shine, & Thrive

While driving to take Tex on a walk, I looked over and saw a gecko clinging to life on my car window. I felt so sorry for the little guy that I decided to drive less than 45 miles per hour. (Eli would say this is my normal speed because apparently I drive like a grandma.) I was hoping not to send the little guy flying out into the great unknown. The driver behind me seemed a little perturbed because of the speed I chose, but the plan worked.

Once I reached the stop light, I glanced over to check on him. His little head was shaking from the wind, but his feet were safely stuck to my window. Apparently, geckos have toe pads to help them stick to various surfaces. I thought this was the perfect time to capture his photo. Look behind him. What do you see? I was reminded of a conversation I had this past week.

During my live podcast this past Thursday, Kim Hardy and I discussed the woman accused of adultery in John chapter 8. Let me quickly setup the scene for you.

Jesus was teaching people in the temple. The scribes and Pharisees entered the temple and brought with them a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. They were kind enough to remind Jesus of the law, which He wrote, saying the woman deserved to be stoned. After Jesus asked which one of them was brave enough to stone her, no one said a word. Then, in true Jesus fashion, He stooped down and began writing something in the sand. In my book "Delivered: Finding Hope in the Storms of Life," I suggested He may have written Forgiven. In our podcast, Kim mentioned she hoped Jesus wrote Loved. Whatever He wrote must have been powerful, because her accusers walked away one by one leaving Jesus alone with the accused (John 8:1-9).

Then, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more" (John 8:10-11). Notice Jesus did not condemn her, but He did tell her it was time to change her habits. She was worth so much more than an adulteress in His eyes.

Then, He said to the people who must have come back, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).

I love knowing that even when I'm clinging to life and trying to hold on, my Father is the Light of the world. If you look past the Gecko plastered to my window, you can see the sun rising. When I watch the sun rise and set, I am reminded that my Savior is in control. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior (Rom. 9:10), we do not merely survive in this world but we can thrive knowing we are loved and forgiven.

So, tomorrow when you are barely hanging on, see past your problems and look to the Savior. I promise you, little Mr. Gecko is not focused on the car ride to the park. He is thriving in the green, luscious grass at the park. You, too, can thrive in this world if you focus on the Light and His promises. Seek Him first this week by reading your Bible and praying up, Then, hang on for the ride of your life as you grow in your spiritual walk with Him.

Thank You, Jesus, for using Your creation to remind us of Your promises.