The "office/guest room" is finally clear of all things unrelated to the purposes of the room. It's the last room on the hall and we kept shoving boxes and odds and ends into it as we worked on other rooms. As I headed to the computer I saw things I could put away quickly but if I started down that road, I never made it to the computer. Now the path is free of distractions and I get to my destination without stopping.
Do we realize how pleased God is when we ignore the pull of distractions to get to Him? Picture yourself standing in the doorway of His throne room where He sits in His glory and splendor, smiling and drawing us to Him with Love in His eyes. You eagerly start toward Him when a butterfly flits across your path. Maybe it's a sign that you'll get to know God better by admiring His creation. You hesitate but only for a second before moving forward again. Then the phone rings. It could be a friend or family member who needs you. But, again you look into God's eyes and step toward Him. Next, the thought pops into your head that your mouth got you in trouble yesterday. You stop, feeling suddenly ashamed and wondering, "How can I meet Him with this sin in my life?" You flounder, wondering what to do but muster the courage to look into His eyes again. He's still smiling and motions you to keep coming to Him. You start walking again, a little more hesitantly but picking up the pace. Then you notice other believers working on a mission project. They're looking at you with that "Why aren't you helping us?" look. Maybe your time would be better spent doing something to help others? The pull to satisfy these good people is strong but you manage to remember your goal to spend time in God's Presence. You glance back at Him and see no condemning look, only understanding and Love. You turn back to Him and make the last few steps to His throne, falling at His feet, victorious, triumphant. And God? Don't you hear Him? He's saying something along the lines of "You've chosen the one thing needed and what is better than all the rest and it won't be taken away from you."
Satan tried to tempt Jesus away from His purpose with three distractions, food, fame and power. Eventually, because Jesus upheld His Father's kingdom, God gave Jesus these things in far greater ways. Jesus was fed by angels. He was lifted high and fell into death before rising again. And one day, every knee in every earthly kingdom will bow to His name. All because He put His Father first.
We'll get to the other things. Nature is all around us. I have caller ID. God alone can forgive the sin I need to confess and He alone can lead me in how best to talk with the one I've offended. And, as I spend time with Him, He'll reveal the good works He's planned particularly for me and lead and equip me to do them. But first, I sit at His feet, receiving the mercy and finding the grace I need for all of the above.
Father of mercy and grace, You call us to Yourself to know You better. Jesus called us to seek Your kingdom first, promising that everything else would fall into place. Help us avoid the pitfalls of distractions. It's too easy to settle for "doing" when You want us to learn to "be" first. You're not waiting to condemn us but You long for our full attention so You can encourage and empower us. Jesus died and rose again so we could know You. Please help us make, keep and live this number one priority. Give us tunnel vision and selective hearing when it comes to getting to Your throne: may distractions fade in the background as You grow clearer. Thank You for interceding for us and for understanding our weaknesses. Thank You for the power You exert in our behalf!
In the name of Jesus who was raised to life and whispers into God's ear on our behalf!
"Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."Romans 8:33-34
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16
No comments:
Post a Comment