I'm reading a book called Letting Go of Perfect by Amy Spiegel. At the end of one of the chapters it reads this...
"On the road I travel, I have been given all I need and then some. I am well- supplied and heading in the right direction. But too often I fail to stop to refuel. I get distracted by all the activity around me and forget that I am running on grace, on borrowed fuel which must be replenished from its only source. I don’t take advantage of that which has been provided for me and try to make it on my own. Though I profess to know my dependence, I act as if I can make it on my own. “I can squeeze another mile or two out of this tank. I can make it another day or two without praying, without having read my Bible, without confessing my utter need for Him.” But eventually I run out of steam, sheer willpower counts for little and I am left stranded. Even then He is faithful to rescue, give me a lift and a refill. If only I will surrender."
I'm pretty sure she is describing me in this paragraph. I have been having the hardest time staying focused on the One thing that keeps my world spinning. My focus has been trying to stay focused on the wrong thing, myself. I often find myself pushing my Bible aside, or seeing it out of the corner of my half opened eye so early in the morning, then saying to myself "you'll be fine without it today, do something that "stimulates" your mind more."
I don't know if you see it but there is a huge lie in that statement. Actually two lies. I am usually not fine with out reading my Bible and praying. Something seems to always go wrong or I have a negative attitude all day at work. This negativity usually results in participating in the latest gossip about a co-worker, complaining about someone or something, or having a lack of motivation to perform my very best at my job. On really bad days all three of those happen.
The second lie is about finding something "more" stimulating to do in the morning. Nothing should be more stimulating than being renewed and refreshed by digging into your Heavenly Fathers love letter and manual for life. This should be what keeps me going, what gives me energy and drive to tackle my day and all that it brings. And it can only do that by making the choice to sit down, pick it up and read His word!
Now you many be asking "if it's so great then why don't I just choose it every morning over facebook, the news, sleeping and extra 30mins, or a game on my iPad?" Well here is your answer and probably the same answer that you would have too... I am sinful, I am a human being and we were created sinners. Satan will use any and every tactic to distract us from growing closer in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our sinful nature finds so many shortcuts and temporary answers that bring us temporary satisfaction. This all leads back to His grace. When we surrender and confess that we are sinners, and can't make it on our own through this life He gives us grace, forgives our sins (past, present, and future), and gives us the Bible to help find our way or His way for us, the path He has planned. His plans are always so much better than my own.
Even day after day of ignoring my Bible and praying, He still loves me and welcomes me into His arms! He'll do the same for you!
