TeaTime Devotional August 6th, 2025

Written By: Shanece Jordan

Keep Your Eyes Wide Open

Scripture: Jeremiah 45:4-5 MSG

“But God says, ‘Look around. What I’ve built I’m about to wreck, and what I’ve planted I’m about to rip up. And I’m doing it everywhere—all over the whole earth! So, forget about making any big plans for yourself. Things are going to get worse before they get better. But don’t worry. I’ll keep you alive through the whole business.”

Testimony:

Imagine opening your eyes and you are surrounded by police, paramedics, even firefighters and you have no idea what happened. Well, I can tell you what this feels like. Truthfully, I wanted to be scared but within all the confusion all I felt was his mercy and grace.  This made me think about how the Lord allowed me to see something physically while awakening my spirit all at the same time. There were two times that I should have been locked up or even hospitalized because I closed my eyes at the wrong time and for the wrong reason, losing sight of the bigger picture. God reminded me that he is holy and will not tolerate my sin but also revealed that he is my protector. Both times I was able to make it back to my child; this was nothing but mercy and grace. While pondering this feeling of defeated during my walk with God, I ran to my man Jeremiah!

Edify:

While reading this scripture it brought praise to my spirit. God reminded me of what he will allow us to go through to get our attention. Baruch, the writer who recorded Jeremiah’s words was loyal and faithful to the unpopular Jeremiah. He became so overwhelmed and flat out tired of the doomsday predictions.   He decides that he no longer wants to write these depressing prophecies.  Who would blame him right?  God hears all the moans and groans, and he grows tired too, just like many of us!  God told Baruch to “take his eyes off himself and to stop being selfish. God reminds him that he ultimately has control.   God says whatever I built, I can also wreck and whatever I plant, I can rip up.   I believe God was speaking to me just like he was speaking to Baruch.   I better start Pulling Up wisely and not selfishly, before he starts wrecking things in my life.    

Apply:

It is so easy to lose joy in serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, especially when we take our eyes off him. I challenge US to keep our eyes from seeing the things we are losing or having to give up as a sacrifice. Then let us channel that energy into serving God.  So, pull up off the woe it’s me and let’s step into Gods will.