March 4

A Secret in Plain Sight

“The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables” (Mark 4:11).

Scripture: Mark 4:10-20

Song: “Open My Eyes, That I May See”

It was her boyfriend’s birthday present, so the sweater Di was knitting for him had to be special. She chose a rich shade of chocolate brown for the garment itself, and a deep teal blue for horizontal accent stripes on the front. When the project was completed, Di beamed as her friends and parents exclaimed about its beauty, but it was her boyfriend’s reaction that would tell the tale.

He smiled brightly when he unwrapped the gift, then burst into delighted laughter after studying the horizontal stripes. There in plain sight was a message the others had seen but not recognized as a message at all. Her boyfriend, however, who knew the secret writing, recognized the announcement immediately. Using Morse code, Di had knitted into the stripes: My girlfriend made this sweater.

Jesus has given His followers the secret of the kingdom of God. He enables us to see, hear, and understand things that are mysteries to others. Am I looking, listening, and longing for His messages to me?

Lord, I thank You that You have revealed mysteries of Your kingdom to lowly ones such as me. May I be fertile soil for Your Word and bring forth much fruit for Your glory. In the name of my King, forever. Amen.

March 4–10. Debbie Ginder and her husband Carl live in Virginia, where they minister to jail inmates. They also enjoy birding, reading, music, and their family of five sons and their households.