SCRIPTURE: No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve. 2 Timothy 2:4 AMP
THOUGHT: Yesterday I wrote from Psalms about the comfort of knowing God will be at work to unite our fractured hearts into whole, undivided hearts. Again I say, what a blessing to not be in this process alone! But there are also things we’re responsible to do outside of God’s help. Perhaps you could think of them as heart maintenance.
For example Paul tells Timothy that, once enlisted into Christ’s service, we’ve got to be vigilant to stay “untangled” from the things that tend to entangle others so we’re free to focus on mission. It could be anything that takes us out of service or subverts our attention – I think of bigger boats, bigger houses, more shopping, more social media, gadgets, relationship choices, makeup or sports. The list is endless, really. For me recently, it was needing to make a decision about some extra writing I’ve been offered. It was good work, it likely would pay well, but it sent up that little warning flag inside me. It was good, but off mission. I had to do some heart maintenance.
A verse I’ve pondered over the years is Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Part of me wants to throw a little tantrum, crying “then how will I ever find you, oh Lord?” But a wiser, more mature part (yes, I have those too) understands God’s grace. The point is, it’s our responsibility to maintain our heart’s focus. When it slips, we must start again, trusting God to help us, even in our pursuit of him.
Thus, the beauty of 2 Chronicles 16:9: For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. God is watching for the soldiers in active duty whose eyes and ears are turned toward their commanding officer so he can strengthen them. And that, dear friends, is gospel news!
PRAYER: Oh God, I need your presence and strength and you need my ears, eyes, and willing wholeheartedness. I want to maintain what you have invested in so dearly.
Dear Reader,
I’m glad you’re along and I pray you will be blessed, challenged, and encouraged in your faith by something you read here.
There are archives by topic below – now more than 1000 of these daily meditations to browse.
ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
FREE TO YOU:
If you’d like to be notified of this blog each weekday, please look for the little blue “follow” button below (just above the topical search), and welcome!
asipoblog.com 