But...this is urgent

Surely you know that you become the slaves of whatever you give yourselves to. Anything or anyone you follow will be your master. You can follow sin, or you can obey God. Following sin brings spiritual death, but obeying God makes you right with him. (Romans 6:16)

If we were honest here, we might just cop to the plea of being just a little too close to some things in our lives that are actually taking our eyes off of Jesus at times. We aren't unique in that struggle, my friends. We find ourselves 'opening' ourselves to all manner of distraction when all God asks for is our attention. It is as though we have an 'attention deficit disorder' when it comes to him! We find ourselves tilting this way or that, all at the mere suggestion of ease, enjoyment, or even encouragement. We wonder why we are not hearing God's voice, but could it be we have just allowed it to be drowned out by all those distractions?

The thing we focus on the most is our master. There are so many today that find it hard to just sit and listen. We want things 'on' to distract us, like the TV or background music. It isn't that we shouldn't listen to good music that lifts our hearts toward Jesus, but if we use it as a replacement for actually taking time in his Word, it won't 'fill the tank' quite as well as that time in his Word would. We can use a lot of things as 'deterrents' to taking time with him even without knowing it. If we throw in that load of clothes, sit down to read the Bible, then hear the load knocking about off-balance, do we leave the washer doing the 'balance shuffle' in the laundry room, or do we rush to it to reorganize that load?

That may seem like a little bit of a stretch to use that example, since almost everyone who hears the washer jiggling across the floor will set out to correct the situation as soon as they become aware of it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we would lay down our 'deterrents' to spending time with Christ just as eagerly? We rush to the unbalanced wash load, but do we rush to find 'balance' once again in our emotions, thoughts, and bodies by getting alone with him, listening to his still small voice, and just enjoying the peace of his presence? If we struggle a bit with the 'urgency' of time with him, maybe it is time to reevaluate our priorities. Just sayin!

Even the smallest act

The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give a large part of one's self to others. (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)

...be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life ...continue to read the Scriptures to the people, strengthen them, and teach them. Use the gift you have... Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone. Be careful in your life and in your teaching. If you continue to live and teach rightly, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you. (I Timothy 4:12-16)

We are not put on this earth to live as we might please, but to live as it pleases God. In living in such a manner, we will find that we will be drawn to the needs of others, finding ways to minister to that need as we are able. Why? We are following the example given by Jesus and being living instruments of grace. We are to use the gifts we have been given - not for our own edification, but for the building up and restoration of others. 

In all manner of 'living', there is some form of 'teaching' that occurs. It might not be that we stand before a class and instruct from a book, but we 'instruct' with our actions (our daily lives). God asks that we 'live' in such a way that our 'instruction' will guide others to seek truth and to find relationship with him. We become instruments of grace, not so much by 'preaching the Word', but living the Word out in our daily lives.

How do we strengthen each other? It may be in small ways at first, but as we get 'better' at living with others in mind, not focusing on ourselves all the time, we find 'bigger' ways to be a blessing in the lives of those around us. What has God called you to do today in the life of another? Pray for them? Spend time helping them with something around their house? Bringing them a meal? Small steps result in big rewards, friends! Take even the smallest step today in obedience to what God prompts and see what amazing blessing he will bring to each of your lives! Just sayin!

Today or Tomorrow?

Are you given to the habit of procrastination? The thing about 'putting off today what you plan to do tomorrow' can actually wreak havoc in one's life. Ben Franklin told us, "You may delay, but time will not." How sad to let time go by when things of importance need to be addressed. I am not just speaking of our 'chores' like vacuuming, dusting, and that oil change. I am also referencing those words that need to be shared, letting go of the grudge that has been held way bast its expiration date, and spending time with a loved one who so desperately craves a bit of your attention. These are the things that cannot be guaranteed to be 'done tomorrow' because none of us are guaranteed that time will not change our circumstances.

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

There is very little we can afford to 'leave till tomorrow' when it comes to our relationships. They are a 'today' kind of thing. As we read on to the end of this chapter in James, we find there is a reminder we all need to heed. "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do, then not do it." (vs. 17) If we know an apology is owed, to hold onto the grudge is sin. If we realize it has been way too long since we spent quality time with someone we hold dear, it is sin to not make the time. If we know we need to share our heart with someone and then hold back, it is sin. Go - do it today - no one is guaranteed the 'right set of circumstances' will exist tomorrow. 

Many ladies who have delivered a baby in the wee hours of the night, labor coming on unexpectedly, will admit to being concerned about 'not shaving their legs' before they went to the hospital. It wasn't that they couldn't have shaved them earlier that day, but they thought they had time. As silly as this may be, it is a real look at how we 'put off' what could have been the easiest thing to do at a much earlier time, only to find it much more difficult or impossible at a later one. We don't hold time in our hands - we are unable to turn back a clock. There are times when we must put aside our pride, take on the task, and just do it. No one wants to find themselves on the opposite side of time, looking back, wishing they had done what needed to be done. Just sayin!