I forced
myself in the beginning of the week to write one letter to Jesus because it had
been quite some time since I’d done so. It was good to connect with Him in this
way though I quickly grew tired and ended my letter with just a list of names
rather than the specifics I was thinking of. With so much to tell Him, I was
overwhelmed by the thought that I could write for hours and instead spent only
thirty minutes maximum with the Lord (probably less). Trying to balance out
this new schedule of mine, I’ve been lazy in my prayer life, tired from the
drain that happens on any given day, and exhausted from the distractions that
take our focus off Christ. Even before this new schedule, when I had ample time
to spend with the Lord it was not exercised as such and now that I have limited
time, our engagement seems even less.
Thankfully,
our relationship is still intact and He’s still on my mind most of the week,
but I’m asking for His help in my divided attention. While I’ve had prayer requests
and updates from others to keep my mind on Jesus and conversations with friends
that exclaimed His glory, I personally don’t feel the strength in my own devotion.
My discipline to give God the time He deserves is not yet ripe but I fully
trust He is pruning my braches in order to do so.
For the
majority of last year, right up until three weeks ago, I’ve had houseguests
pretty constantly in my home. It’s the first time in nearly a year that I’ve
been alone with myself, and the first break where I have nothing to do in the
evenings but talk with Jesus. God is giving me time and space to engage with
Him and yet still I resist. When I found out that I would once again be living
alone, something I quite enjoy doing, I was excited about the time the Lord and
I were going to have. I was looking forward to dedicating my nights to Jesus
and talking with Him in depth about the weights and joys of my heart, but three
weeks in and we haven’t shared much of that time.
Unfortunately/fortunately
I’ve been a bit busier than expected after work. I’m catching up with friends I
haven’t seen in awhile, taking phone calls I’m unable to have at work, or
getting chores done that pile up when I’m away. By the time that 10P hits, the
last thing I want to do is write a 5-page letter. In the mornings I try and
concentrate my waking thoughts to the Lord but am quickly distracted by the
amount of work that needs to be done in order for this around the world
production to be successful. Work never ends when you’re in 4 time zones!
Throughout the day I try to give him moments of praise but once again I am
diverted back to the scheduling and needs of my attention elsewhere. How tough
it is to stay in conversation with Jesus while others are demanding my
thoughts. How does one still their mind to listen to the Lord when life keeps
coming at full speed, not interested in the relationship you’re trying to
foster with the King? Prayer is essential to my life, but how do I exercise it
when it seems like there’s no time?
I’ve been
thinking about a few ways to go about this, none of which I’ve tried yet, but
tomorrow is a new week. I’ve considered waking up earlier in order to spend at
least thirty minutes of my morning talking to the Lord or reading His word, but
I am by no means a morning person and I know that my willpower is weaker than
any might think. Instead I’ve thought about setting an alarm on my phone once
every so often to remind me to take a minute (a full minute) to be in His
presence, sharing anything that’s on my heart, trying to listen to His guidance.
However, recognizing God’s voice is already difficult for me. Adding a ticking
clock to the attempt might not be the best idea but whether they’re good ideas
or not, I figure they’re at least worth a try.
As I
continue to figure out how to give my time to Jesus in this whirlwind of my
life, I’m also trying to figure out just what I want out of it. Things to ask
God about and things to trust Him with. God is graciously kind in answering the
prayers of His children but what is there to answer if I don’t ask Him for His
thoughts? What can He do if I’m not asking Him to intercede? The answer is more
than I know but more I fail to recognize. I want to take part in His mission
and I want His hand to guide me. In order for this to happen, I must ask Him to
help me be more intimate with Him. I must ask Him to speak louder and to give
me the settled mind to hear, but I feel like even this is a task sometimes.
So Lord,
make the things that seem like discipline a joy. Make my heart attentive to
Your will and help me to surrender the stubbornness of my own. I ask for
clarity on how to balance our relationship in the world and strength to give
You the attention You deserve. May You take delight in the work of Your child
as she tries to make sense of this brokenness and fill her with Your Spirit as
she stumbles through the dark. Your light oh Lord, is a lamp to my feet.
Continue to prune my branches so I can blossom in You, learning more of Your
goodness, and the ways of Your wisdom. Help me to bare the fruit of Your Salvation
and increase my love for you. In Jesus name I pray, amen!
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