If you’ve ever picked up a copy of Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling, you know the drill. You open the little padded hardcover, find today's date, and read a few paragraphs written as if Jesus is speaking directly to you. It’s a formula that has sold over 45 million copies. But some days just hit different. Jesus Calling May 2nd is one of those dates that people search for constantly, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why once you actually look at the themes of trust and "letting go" that Young emphasizes for this specific spring morning.
The message is simple. Or at least, it sounds simple.
It’s about the mental exhaustion of trying to figure everything out on your own. Most of us spend our Tuesday mornings—or whatever day May 2nd happens to fall on—running through a mental checklist of anxieties. We worry about the mortgage, the kids, that weird email from the boss, or the state of the world. The May 2nd entry hits the brakes on all that. It tells the reader to stop leaning on their own understanding.
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What exactly does the May 2nd entry say?
At its core, the devotion for this day focuses on the concept of trust as a protective shield. Sarah Young wrote these devotions during a time when she was struggling with significant health issues and personal isolation. Because of that, the writing doesn't feel like a lecture from a mountaintop. It feels like someone sitting in the trenches with you. For May 2nd, the "voice" in the book encourages you to bring your day to Him before you even start it. It uses imagery of a path—this idea that if you try to see too far around the bend, you’re just going to get overwhelmed.
You’ve probably felt that "bend in the road" anxiety. It’s that paralyzing feeling where you can't enjoy breakfast because you're already stressed about a meeting that isn't happening for another six hours.
The scripture references for this day usually include Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 112:7. These aren't obscure verses. They are the heavy hitters of the Christian faith. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." It's a classic for a reason. Young takes that ancient text and turns it into a first-person narrative.
Why people are still obsessed with Sarah Young’s work in 2026
Even though Sarah Young passed away in 2023, the momentum behind her daily readings hasn't slowed down. If anything, the chaos of the last few years has made people crave this specific brand of "quiet time" even more. Critics have always been there, of course. Some theologians get nervous about "channeled" writing or the idea of someone writing in the first-person voice of God.
But for the average person? They don't care about the academic debates.
They care that they woke up at 6:00 AM feeling like their chest was tight with stress, and the Jesus Calling May 2nd entry told them it was okay to breathe. It told them that they don't have to have all the answers.
There is something incredibly counter-cultural about that.
We live in an era of "hustle culture" and "main character energy." Everything tells you to take control, manifest your destiny, and be the boss. Then you read this little book and it basically says: "Actually, you aren't in control, and that's the best news you'll hear all day."
It’s a relief.
Breaking down the May 2nd theology of "The Present Moment"
One of the big takeaways from this specific date is the emphasis on the "Now."
Young writes about how we waste energy by "living" in a future that hasn't happened yet. We borrow trouble. We imagine scenarios that will likely never take place. The May 2nd message suggests that God only gives us enough strength for the twenty-four hours we are currently standing in.
If you try to carry tomorrow’s problems with today’s strength, you’re going to break.
- Stop the mental rehearsals. You know exactly what I mean—those fake arguments you have in the shower where you finally say the perfect witty comeback to your coworker.
- Acknowledge the limit of your brain. Humans aren't built to process the infinite variables of the future.
- Practice "The Sacrifice of Trust." This is a phrase Young uses often. It implies that trust isn't a feeling; it’s a choice that often feels like a sacrifice of our own pride or our desire to be right.
The controversy vs. the comfort
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Jesus Calling isn't without its detractors. You'll find plenty of blogs and podcasts from more conservative or Reformed circles that warn against the book. They argue that the Bible is sufficient and that we shouldn't be looking for "new" words from Jesus.
However, supporters argue that Young never intended for her book to replace Scripture. She viewed it more like a map that points you back to the actual landscape—the Bible itself.
On May 2nd, the focus is so heavily on the Psalms and Proverbs that it’s hard to find much to argue with from a purely spiritual perspective. It’s about humility. It’s about the fact that your IQ and your bank account aren't enough to save you from the "arrows that fly by day."
Practical ways to apply the May 2nd message
If you’re looking at this date and wondering how to actually do something with it, it’s not about reading the page and moving on. It’s about a shift in posture.
First, try a "worry audit." When a thought enters your mind on May 2nd, ask yourself: "Is this a problem for right now, or am I leaning on my own understanding of a future I can't see?" If it's the latter, literally imagine yourself dropping it.
Secondly, look at the specific scriptures mentioned. Don't just take Young's word for it. Open a Bible—or an app—and read Psalm 62. It talks about God being a rock and a fortress. There’s a ruggedness to that imagery that balances out the softness of Young’s prose.
Sometimes we need the soft comfort. Sometimes we need the hard rock.
Why the date matters
Spring is a season of transition. In many parts of the world, May is when things are finally starting to bloom, but there’s also a lot of seasonal pressure. Graduation is coming. Summer plans are being finalized. It’s a high-anxiety window for many families.
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The Jesus Calling May 2nd entry acts as a stabilizer.
It reminds the reader that while the seasons change and life moves fast, the "Presence" (a word Young capitalizes constantly) remains static. It’s a weirdly grounding experience to read the same words that millions of other people are reading on the exact same morning. There’s a communal aspect to it that we often miss in our digital, siloed lives.
The shift from "Doing" to "Being"
Most devotionals give you a "to-do" list. Be more kind. Pray more. Give more money. What makes the May 2nd reading different is that it’s almost entirely about "being." It’s about being still. It’s about being observant of God’s work in the small details. It’s about being quiet enough to hear something other than your own internal monologue.
If you’ve been feeling like a hamster on a wheel, this is your permission to step off for a second.
Honestly, the world won't fall apart if you stop worrying for ten minutes. That’s the secret truth behind the May 2nd message. The world is being held together by something much bigger than your effort.
Actionable steps for your morning routine
If you want to get the most out of the Jesus Calling May 2nd experience, don't just scroll through it on your phone while you're half-asleep.
- Read it aloud. There is something about hearing the words that changes how your brain processes them.
- Write down one "uncontrollable." Pick one thing that is stressing you out that you have zero power to change. Write it on a piece of paper.
- Leave it there. Literally. Leave the paper on your desk or nightstand and walk away. That is the physical manifestation of "not leaning on your own understanding."
The goal isn't to become a passive person who never plans for the future. The goal is to be a person who plans with an open hand rather than a clenched fist.
May 2nd is a reminder that the clenched fist is what causes the most pain in the long run. When you let go, you’re finally free to receive whatever the day actually has in store for you—the good, the bad, and the mundane.
Final thoughts on the May 2nd impact
Ultimately, Jesus Calling works because it meets people where they are. It doesn't ask you to be a theologian. It doesn't ask you to have your life together. It just asks you to show up.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Sarah Young or you just stumbled across this date because you’re looking for a bit of hope, the message remains the same. Trust isn't a destination you reach. It’s a path you walk, one step at a time, every single May morning.
Next Steps for May 2nd:
- Open your Bible to Psalm 112 and read the full chapter to see the context of the day's devotion.
- Identify the "internal noise" that is currently drowning out your peace and consciously choose to silence it for five minutes.
- If you're using the Jesus Calling app, use the "Notes" feature to record exactly what you are trusting God with today so you can look back on it next year.