MAY 6, 2025

  “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”  

― J.K. Rowling

1 KINGS 12-13

26Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. 27If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.”

28After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” 29One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 30And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other.^d

LUKE 24:1-35

45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

JOURNAL

Reading the story of Jeroboam in 1 Kings 12:26-30, we see a clear path of destruction that comes from seeking human approval and clinging to power rather than trusting God. Jeroboam, driven by fear and insecurity, created golden calves and declared them gods to keep his people from returning to Jerusalem. Instead of genuinely seeking God, Jeroboam turned faith into something convenient and controllable, using God merely as a tool to maintain his position.

Now consider the scene in Luke 24:45-49, where Jesus appears to His disciples after His resurrection. Here, Jesus clearly emphasizes the importance of understanding His suffering, death, and resurrection. He promises the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, ensuring they will have the strength and confidence needed to fulfill their mission.

These disciples weren't powerful or impressive by worldly standards—they were scared and ordinary people. Yet through the power of the Spirit, they became bold witnesses who changed the world. This same Spirit is available to us today, a gift of incredible grace. Still, if we are honest, we often miss out on this reality because we're more concerned with people's opinions and comfort.

It's natural to want to shrink back and blend in, choosing what's safe and familiar over stepping out in bold faith. But God doesn't call us to normal; He calls us to something extraordinary. He wants us to be fertile ground for His Spirit to live and work through us. This reality defies our instincts and challenges our fears—God Himself living within us? It may sound unbelievable, yet it's precisely this truth that enabled the early disciples to impact the world.

We may not know exactly what tomorrow holds, but we do have today. Will we trust God and courageously surrender our best, or will we settle for comfort, drifting away like Jeroboam did? The choice is ours every day, and thankfully, we never have to face it alone.

In God, whose word I praise, In the LORD, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 

PSALM 56:10-12