Simple, Stubborn, Sober
- Lisa Livezey
- May 28
- 2 min read
Updated: May 29
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. — I Peter 5:8 NRSV
Natural organic compounds and other marine plant matter are always at work to cause stubborn brown stains on a boat's hull. Removing the stains requires much elbow grease.
Then, a kind neighbor told us about a special bottled solution. We sprayed it, and voila! The stains melted away! We had been given a simple answer to a stubborn, plaguing problem.
Sometimes God provides a simple, effective solution to the stubborn stains in our lives. Other times, we have to be the stubborn party — persistently working away at a problem area like the example below of removing barnacles from the boat's hull. The spray mentioned above doesn't work on barnacles.
Someone I know and respect has been in recovery for years now. Staying clean requires vigilance and regular attendance at weekly meetings. It's not a "voila" situation — instead, it's a "keep at it" effort with effective results!
Prayer
God of all time, help me to be ever vigilant in warding off the activity of the enemy. Show me simple solutions when they exist. Otherwise, give me persistence and faith in the daily pursuit of a holy life.
Quote
Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself.
— St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 9
Thought
In all problem areas, we are to apply prayer and look for the solution God provides whether it be simple, or one that requires constant effort.
Question
What simple solution have you seen God provide? What area in your life requires extra persistence and prayer?
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. — I Peter 5:8 NRSV
PRISM™ Visio Divina: Play the meditative music and go through the P.R.I.S.M. steps as outlined below. Be blessed.
PRAY to quiet your heart
READ through the devotion
IMMERSE yourself in the picture
SELECT a phrase to repeat
MARK down your divine insight
Blessed by this devotion? Scroll down and click the little heart to make it red.
EXTRA DEVOTION ON MONDAY, JUNE 1st — To those who have set a password for this site!
Thank you for reading Devotions from the Olive Grove!
~ Encouragement for the caregiver: Minding Mom: A Caregiver's Devotional Story
~ In Guideposts' Inspiration from the Garden devotional you'll find devotions by yours' truly about the hardy pansy, a godly organic farmer, and perennial friendships.
I was reading in the gospel of Mark this morning about Bartimaeus. He called loudly to Jesus, stated exactly what he wanted when Jesus asked, and was healed immediately — a simple solution. Next, I read in John 9 where Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth. Jesus spat on the ground and made clay from his saliva. He put the muddy mixture on the man's eyes and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. Jesus did something physical first and then the blind man had to go and wash (perhaps this is likened to baptism). Our Lord works in His own ways, but no matter how He wants to work — we will seek…