...and when life gets busy, I tend to prioritize everything else but the one thing that matters the most...unhurried time with the Lord. And as a result, I'm left feeling depleted. With nothing to give. Nothing to give God. Nothing to give those around me...including the closest person to me...my husband. And then I start feeling a distance from God. But I always remember this pin when I start feeling that way.
According to Luke 6:45, the good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. The true nature of the heart can often be seen when they speak off-the-cuff and without reflection. And let me just tell you that some pretty ugly stuff has been coming out of my mouth lately. Ugly and hurtful. Because my heart is not filled with the Word of the Lord. It's filled with...busyness.
I woke up this morning...starving. For spiritual food. Literally starving. So I got out of the bed, brushed my teeth, threw on some clothes, packed up my Bible & a notebook and headed straight to Starbucks...for some much needed and long overdue, unhurried time with God. Once I got settled, I asked God to show me something...anything...about myself.
I've been in 1 Samuel for awhile now. Mostly because I've been SO inconsistent with my quiet time. Anyway, I read chapter 23. And then chapter 24. And whadya know...God heard my cry. And He gave me a Word just for me. He's pretty darn awesome like that.
After Saul tries to kill David SEVERAL times, David is faced with a difficult decision...killing Saul or sparing his life. And he chooses to spare Saul's life out of respect for God's appointment of Saul as king and patience to wait for God's timing. Rather than return evil for evil, David chooses obedience. David was able to spare Saul's life because He was in tune with God.
Here's the bottom line...I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent me (John 5:30). I can do NOTHING apart from the Spirit of the Living God . I know that God desires the same obedient and loving response He got from David, from me. But when I'm empty...and depleted...starving of spiritual food...I have nothing good to give God or those around me. Nothing good. And worse, when I'm wandering aimlessly, I slowly but surely find myself outside of His will for my life. And I don't like who I become. Mean...impatient...vengeful...sarcastic...just plain ugly.
So I ask that you pray with me and for me...this prayer...
Lord, I recognize that I'm broken and still have a lot of work to do to address the ugly parts of my heart. Thank you for speaking to me through your Word. For clearly showing me the error of my sinful ways. Thank you for your grace and new mercies. For another opportunity to be in right standing with You and to reconcile with those I've hurt as a result of my ugly heart. I'm sorry for being too busy to spend time with you each day. And if/when I prioritize the busyness of life over You again, I pray You humble me just like You did today. In Jesus name, Amen.
If you're still reading, thank you for allowing me to ramble. I covet your prayers...today and everyday. How can I be praying for you?
xo,
According to Luke 6:45, the good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. The true nature of the heart can often be seen when they speak off-the-cuff and without reflection. And let me just tell you that some pretty ugly stuff has been coming out of my mouth lately. Ugly and hurtful. Because my heart is not filled with the Word of the Lord. It's filled with...busyness.
I woke up this morning...starving. For spiritual food. Literally starving. So I got out of the bed, brushed my teeth, threw on some clothes, packed up my Bible & a notebook and headed straight to Starbucks...for some much needed and long overdue, unhurried time with God. Once I got settled, I asked God to show me something...anything...about myself.
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After Saul tries to kill David SEVERAL times, David is faced with a difficult decision...killing Saul or sparing his life. And he chooses to spare Saul's life out of respect for God's appointment of Saul as king and patience to wait for God's timing. Rather than return evil for evil, David chooses obedience. David was able to spare Saul's life because He was in tune with God.
Here's the bottom line...I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent me (John 5:30). I can do NOTHING apart from the Spirit of the Living God . I know that God desires the same obedient and loving response He got from David, from me. But when I'm empty...and depleted...starving of spiritual food...I have nothing good to give God or those around me. Nothing good. And worse, when I'm wandering aimlessly, I slowly but surely find myself outside of His will for my life. And I don't like who I become. Mean...impatient...vengeful...sarcastic...just plain ugly.
So I ask that you pray with me and for me...this prayer...
Lord, I recognize that I'm broken and still have a lot of work to do to address the ugly parts of my heart. Thank you for speaking to me through your Word. For clearly showing me the error of my sinful ways. Thank you for your grace and new mercies. For another opportunity to be in right standing with You and to reconcile with those I've hurt as a result of my ugly heart. I'm sorry for being too busy to spend time with you each day. And if/when I prioritize the busyness of life over You again, I pray You humble me just like You did today. In Jesus name, Amen.
If you're still reading, thank you for allowing me to ramble. I covet your prayers...today and everyday. How can I be praying for you?
xo,
Thanks for sharing the richness of God's Word as it applied to you today! Thanks for the reminder that God is always there and that I constantly move, whether it's closer to Him or away. Out of the overflow of His love, we are able to give to others. I pray that the hubby will reap from that overflow, as well as the others in your life! Love you!
ReplyDeleteI had the most AWESOME experience at church today. We sang this worship song called "The Heart of Worship" and I was reminded that it's not about us it's all about Him. I'm actually going to write about this on my blog tomorrow but I shared with you first :-)
ReplyDeleteKay
KayKonfidential.blogspot.com
I don't know how I missed this one but I am in tears!! God is so amazing!! In my time with Him I say often that I am so undeserving but yet He still loves and favors me! All He wants is my simple obedience... We often forget the true root of what God really wants... Obedience is better than sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteYour words are so true and so powerful! Thank you for being a vessel!
You pray for me often and I thank you... when things go on in my world I am often reminded that someone is praying for me. Just continue to pray that my fire for Him never dies and that I continue to strive to be more and more like Him!
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