Last week I went on a field trip with my daughter. She had been looking forward to this particular Clifford exhibit for months. The suspense for her was building as we walked inside and then stood in line to take off coats and wait for the restroom. "Can we go see Clifford now?" "Can we go see Clifford now?"
Once we finally passed through the gate she took off running. I was yelling for her to stop but she had no awareness of anything except her desire to see Clifford. Although she was running forward, she wasn't looking the same direction. Her head was to the left, to the right, up in the air, yelling "Clifford" and shrieking wildly. -Never once actually seeing anything, not even the people that had to step aside so that she didn't run into them. I was finally able to get her to slow down, just as she was coming up on another exhibit. She didn't stop. She just became aware of a near collision and that the path was changing. Fortunately for everyone when she rounded the corner, the big red dog was there waiting. Everyone was now safe.
As the day unfolded God used that example as a way to speak to my own heart about my own approach to things. I am eager to serve. I am eager to do. But even though I am moving forward how many other places am I looking instead of where I am going? Proverbs 16:9- says "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." -If only we keep that ear tuned for all of the instructions.
Then several of my own recent commitments were brought to mind. Some were things that I prematurely committed to without waiting to see if it was his plan for me. How many times do I wait for the full set of instructions? I hear what I want. I get the gist and just start moving. Usually, I am trying to multitask the entire way to the finish line. Then I get agitated because too many things are happening and I find it hard to focus.
Galatians 5:13 says "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." I am free to do, but do I use that freedom to serve only myself and meet my own needs? Am I so consumed with my own agenda that I am barreling over others, without notice? Or am I truly serving my first purpose, to love, and then stopping to help or encourage someone else along the way? -No matter how busy or hurried I am.
The commentary in my bible from Galatians 5:16-18 says that being led by the Holy Spirit involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey God’s word and the sensitivity to discern between my feelings and his promptings. Live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit. Then the words of Christ will be in my mind, the love of Christ will be behind my actions and the power of Christ will help me control my selfish desires.
It also says that faith is expressed through love. Well, that pretty much puts it in perspective for me now doesn’t it? If I only seek his full directions first; I won’t find fulfilling them such a burden. Perhaps my own response is a good gauge for whether or not I am still on the original plan. If I find myself too busy or too agitated then that should be my indication that I have gotten off track. I should quickly stop and turn back for correction; making sure that my motivation is more about obeying than doing.
No comments:
Post a Comment