The Backdrop
If you haven’t yet, you may want to do the devotional “Working from the Inside Out” before you embark on this devotional. As you probably can tell by the titles, these two devos go together, this being Part Two.
In Part One, “Working from the Inside Out,” you see there’s a lot going on inside of you, whether you know it. Here’s the thing: The same is true on the outside. God is doing wild things all around us. When we connect God’s work on our insides with God’s work on our outsides, cool stuff happens.
The What
Try experiencing these passages a bit differently than usual. Grab a few blank sheets of paper and something to draw with (pens, pencils, crayons, etc.). As you read the passages, draw what you see described. Feel free to be as detailed or sketchy as you’d like.
The Word
Nehemiah 9:6
John 5:16-20
John 9:1-6
The So What
What do you conclude about the work God is doing on the outside? Write down a couple thoughts.
Some of His work is obvious, such as what you saw in Nehemiah 9 and Psalm 104—nature, creation, the heavens. Other work, such as what you saw in John 5 and 9, is more subtle—it’s in the lives of the people around us.
Reflect on this: Think about the work He is doing inside of you—transforming, renewing, completing. Think about the work He is doing around you—the beauty of a flower, the expanse of the night sky, the redemption of a friend. Think about all of that syncing together—the same power God uses to bring life in creation is the same power He uses to renew your inner being.
Seal the Deal
Sit in silence and ponder the inner and outer works of God. Think about them working together—working at the same time. Write down any thoughts that come to mind. You may even want to draw a picture. After a few minutes, journal your thoughts to the questions below:
How do you think your days would be different if you were constantly syncing God’s inner work inside you with His outer work in the world around you?
Which of these reactions is most intense in your life (circle one): anger, jealousy, frustration, envy, bitterness? What do you think would happen to that reaction if you remained aware of the truth of the work God is doing inside you and around you?
Which of these best describes your outlook on life when you’re most down: lonely, depressed, nervous, fearful? What do you think would happen to that outlook if you remained aware of the truth of the work God is doing inside you and around you?
Close your time by praying a prayer of commitment to be aware of God’s work in and around you. Oh, one more thing—those pictures you drew as you were reading the verses—frame them and keep them nearby. Better yet, take a picture of them and share them with others.
