“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:11
Today’s Christian daily devotional
Glancing at my healthy refection in the locker room mirror, I lace up my favorite running shoes with a little smile.
To the average gym goer, there isn’t anything special about me. In fact, one might wonder why I even bother going to the gym six days a week—it’s not like I’m training for a marathon or anything.
Most people have no idea that I am a living, breathing, walking and sprinting miracle. I don’t take my body and the things it can do for granted…at least, not like I used to.
At the tender age of thirty-three, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. The doctors prescribed a medication that is usually only reserved for people well into their golden years.
Not only did I watch my head of thick and healthy hair dwindle down to half it’s density, but I could barely walk–let alone run! My body was quickly decaying right before my eyes.
The doctors couldn’t find a reason for my rapid decline. They had no answers. Their only solution came in a pill form and my symptoms only worsened when I took it.
Prior to this devastating diagnosis, most of my time was spent in the gym working hard on getting that perfect physique.
Within a span of a few months, the increasing pain that wrecked my body seemed to mock my fruitless efforts. What did all that invested time and work actually accomplish? Sure, my abdominals were nice and ripped, but my bones were crumbling and everything in my body ached terribly.
I cried out to God for a miracle. If anyone needed one, I did. This restless soul would rather die than be trapped in orthopedic shoes and a walker before her time; but that’s exactly where I was headed.
Do miracles happen today? Yes. I’m thirty seven years old and if you were to stop by my gym, you’d not only catch me running at nine miles per hour with ease, but God has also blessed me with the ability to read while I am doing it. God actually took my little prayer request for a miracle up a notch!
Now, I’m not “wasting” my brain while working my body.
Why am I telling you this? It sure isn’t to brag about my ability. God built back what I destroyed.
As I hop on that treadmill for my daily run, I am reminded that God cares about my needs. Life is a marathon; and nothing is better than having God as your coach (and healer).
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I am living proof of how prideful a vain heart can be. I did everything I could to prove I didn’t need you—only to prove to myself that I needed you more than ever!
Lord, thank you for your mercy. Thank you for graciously touching the body of a heart that was rebellious and stubborn.
Your miracle softened my heart. I realized you weren’t angry—that you were looking for a reason to bless me. And, when I called out to you for a miracle you took that as an opportunity to show yourself to me.
Lord, there are so many people that have given up on you. Can you increase the faith of the ones who have lost their faith in your goodness?
In the name of Jesus I speak miracles into the lives of all that need one. Lord, show yourself. Bless those that have cursed your name in the past show them how much you care by meeting then where they are at today.
In Jesus’ precious name, because Jesus died for all of us…even the one’s who hate His name. You are just that good. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Ecclesiastes 2:11
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan