MAY 22, 2025

  “I want to live my life in such a way that when I get out of bed in the morning, the devil says, "aw shit, he's up!” 

― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

1 CHRONICLES 6-7

31These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there. 32They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.

33Here are the men who served, together with their sons:(6:31-33)

JOHN 8:21-36

31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

JOURNAL 

“Slave to sin.” That phrase hits hard—because it’s true. Not just in the big moral failure kind of way, but in the subtle moments: when I let fear control me, when I snap in frustration, when I internalize rejection or failure as identity. Those are the moments I forget that I’m free. That I have a choice. That I can live free because the Son already made me free.

Reading John 8 reminds me: truth liberates, but only when I hold to it. Not glance at it. Not occasionally agree with it. But hold. Let it shape how I live, think, and respond.

Then I turn to 1 Chronicles and read the list of names—musicians in David’s time. Names I’d usually skim right over. But each one had a story. A life. They served before the presence of God, ministering in music. They weren’t famous. No headlines or miracles attached to their names. But they were faithful. They had a job. They played their part in God’s bigger story.

That speaks to me. Because I spend too much time thinking my life doesn’t matter unless I’m making headlines too. I dwell too much on mistakes, on what could have been, on whether I’ve “done enough.” But maybe the goal isn’t being remembered—maybe it’s being faithful.

A hundred years from now, today’s to-do list probably won’t be remembered by anyone. But it matters to God. It matters to my family. It matters to the people I encounter. And if I wake up every morning resolved to live in such a way that hell takes notice—not because I’m perfect, but because I’m present, surrendered, and standing in truth—then I am part of heaven breaking through on earth.

Every breath is a battleground. Every choice is an opportunity. Every moment is sacred. If those unnamed temple musicians had purpose, then so do I. My story matters—not because I’m the hero, but because I serve the One who is.

Thank you, God, for this breath. For this moment. For the reminder that freedom is not just a feeling—it’s a fight to live in the truth You’ve already given me. Today, I get up in that truth. And I pray the devil does flinch.

Amen.

9“This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11Give us today our daily bread.

12And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,^a

but deliver us from the evil one.^b ’

MATTHEW 6:9-13