Well, we finished our taxes and got them filed. Phew! Anybody else feel like this is a slog through knee-high mud each year?

As much as I dread the work and learning the results, every year I see how God provides. Whether that's an unexpected refund or discovering we have remaining taxes due, we've always had the resources we needed. God always shows up right on time.

Oh, by the way, in my family, tax day means celebration—it's my brother's birthday. ☺️ I much prefer that party.

What’s Been On My Heart

During the last week, my prayer has been to see Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection with new eyes.

Luke 9:51 says, “As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” [emphasis mine]

Sit with that word for a moment. Resolute.

Jesus chose to fulfill the eternal salvation plan set by God, the Father. Fully God and fully man, Jesus had choices. He even fervently asked the Father to remove this solution and find another way. Yet, this was the only way to redeem the entire human race—you and me—from our destructive bent to sin, to live in defiance against God.

Resolute means “marked by firm determination, bold, steady.” What perfect descriptors of this Jesus, your Savior and mine.

He did what no one else could—paid the price for every sin ever committed, or that will ever be committed. And friend, that includes every sin committed against you. Every betrayal. Every lie. Every moment you were treated as though you didn't matter. Jesus saw it all and said, I will go anyway. For her.

That is the Jesus who calls you to follow Him. Not with white-knuckled striving, but with the same quiet, steady, bold determination He modeled for you.

Jesus is your way, your truth, and your life — if you will choose Him and resolutely follow His ways throughout your life. Read John 14:6 and let it settle deep in your heart today.

So here's my gentle nudge for you this week:

You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to take the next step—resolutely, steadily, with your eyes on Him.

Something for You

What resolute choices do you need to make today? What do you need to set your face toward?

To help you process any crisis, get your free copy of the Crisis Processing Journal. Use it to set your mind on your next best step out of the confusion and struggle — toward wherever you want to go.

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🙏🏻 A Prayer for You

Dear God, Thank you, Jesus, for resolutely setting your mind to being the perfect sacrifice for every sin, including Reader’s. Today, the day after we remember your resurrection, infuse Reader with your same resolute mindset. Where she needs courage to face an obstacle, give her a new understanding. Open Reader’s thoughts to think more like you do. Holy Spirit, you promise to intercede for Reader when she can’t find the words to express what’s happening. We trust that promise today. Father God, thank you for always keeping your promises to Reader. She is not forgotten or invisible. She is deeply loved by you. Amen.