It is the details of life, which often bog us
down. Our priorities are sidetracked by the little demonic foxes that spoil the
vineyard (Song of Solomon 2:15). They sway our thoughts and emotions until we
lose our peace, fall out of God’s rest and end up drowning in stress.
The good things in life become the enemy of the
best things. They demand our attention away from what is important. We fail to
walk in God’s Spirit or perform His will for our day, because the details scream
for our attention.
It is difficult to ignore those little nagging
issues, which arise during the day and night. They are like a flashing neon sign
that continually pull our focus back to them and away from God’s best for us.
We end up reaping physical illnesses, negative
emotions in our soul and our spirit is undernourished from neglect. We feel like
a failure and often start believing that we are hopeless. Yet, there is always hope
in God.
Many details can be eliminated; for instance,
immediately throw away that advertisement or catalog, which came in the mail;
dust and vacuum once a week, and do not allow the gathering particles to bother
you that collect in every corner and flat surface of the room until that day.
Separate the laundry in bins and only wash when
the bin is full; wash dishes as you cook, so there is not a pile at the end of
the meal; and, if necessary, allow yourself to leave the sink full of dishes
and go to bed to get your needed rest for the next day.
Do not answer the telephone every time it rings
– caller ID helps us to distinguish if our child needs our attention and
everyone else can leave a message for us to hear at a more opportune time.
Make a grocery list and shop once a week or
month or quarter, rather than running to the store every other day for some
forgotten or needed item.
Making more little changes in the details of our
home life, vocational activities and church ministries - as God gives us wisdom,
changes our mindset and schedule.
We put our priorities in the proper order and we
have more time for spiritual pursuits. Our life is more fulfilled and our
spirit is nourished by our close intimacy with our Heavenly Daddy.
Prayer:
Father God,
thank You for pointing out to us the areas where Satan uses the zillion details
of the day to distract and discourage us. Give us Your wisdom to know how to
organize and to make Your plans our priority. Help us to stay focused on the
spiritual rather than on this earthly realm.
We want our
day to start and finish in Your perfect will for us, accomplishing all that You
called us to do at work, home and play. Draw our hearts to You and never let us
go, as our intimacy with You deepens and our spiritual focus increases.
Thought for
the Day:
Be aware of
the minute details that tend to destroy us from the inside out, to interrupt
our home life and relationships, and to spread the roots of apathy in our
churches.
