March 8. Open the windows of your heart.

A bruised reed, he will not break, and a faintly burning wick, he will not quench.

Isaiah 42, 3.

Probably the most encouraging words I have heard in weeks come from a prophecy in Isaiah 42,

1 through 3 about how Jesus will use his spiritual power.

Do you feel like a bruised reed, like one of those big top-heavy Easter lilies whose stem has been

squashed so that the flower flops to the ground and gets no sap? Do you feel like your faith is just

a little spark instead of a flame, like that little red dot at the end

of the wick after you blow out the birthday candle? Take heart. The Spirit of Christ is the spirit

of encouragement. He will not snap off your flower. He will not snuff out your spark.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim good news to the poor, Luke 418.

The Son of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings, Malachi 4 too.

He is gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 1129, wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart take courage. Wait for the Lord.

Psalm 2714. It may be a grief to us that we are only a spark instead of a flaming fire.

But listen and be encouraged. Yes, there is a big difference between a spark and a fire.

But there is an infinite difference

between a spark and no spark.

A mustard seed of faith

is infinitely closer to being a mountain of faith

than it is to being no faith.

Open the window of God's promises and let the Spirit blow into every room of your heart.

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