Lots to do today

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

Psalms 139:1-6

In the frantic nature of our current day society, we can become easily overwhelmed with a sense of go, Go, GO! Far too often, we fall into the trap of thinking “more is better” in our busy schedules, as though the world depends on us. Sometimes busyness masks control issues which are expressions of deeper trust issues. When we pause, and slow down enough to recognize that God is already working—inside us, through us, and around us—we can more intentionally and calmly reflect this loving and all-powerful God in our thoughts, words, and deeds.

Is life intended to be a race towards some human-conceived goals? Or should we spend more time strolling in the park, holding the hand of our heavenly Father, in a deep, child-like desire to please him? The scripture shows God is most focused on the state of our hearts. He simply calls us to be faithful and pay attention to what is around us.

We serve a God who is often revealed in silence. The prophet Elijah heard God in the “sound of a whisper” following the flurry of strong wind that shatters rocks, rattling earthquake, and scorching fire. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” John 15 takes us deeply into the importance of a life of abiding. Jesus often withdrew to the solitude of the desert for undistracted prayer. Regular prayer is not about “trying harder” but creating space by clearing our minds. God initiates. We respond.

God can transform our busy, broken lives into new and beautiful creations. Success is not necessarily a by-product of faithfulness. God exists in our failures, too. His primary call is for caring relationships, regardless of what the day brings.

So today as you start your day with more on your “To Do” list than can possibly be accomplished, pause and remember God’s presence. We cannot work our way into his favor; we are fully accepted by his grace. We cannot be good enough to earn his love; he already loves us. We can try to push him away from our thoughts, but he already knows them… and his grace is sufficient.

Let’s choose to respond, by recognizing our need, and his provision provided through the cross. Now is the time to enjoy a relationship with the Creator who knows our deepest, most painful secrets, yet passionately loves us so completely. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” Yes, lots to do today! What a gift.

Prayer

Lord, you have examined my heart. You know my thoughts. You know everything I am going to pray before I pray it. Yet you wait expectantly for me as a parent waits for a distracted child to notice a gentle smile. Help me do no less, nor any more, than you want me to today. AMEN

Excerpt from:

City of Pah! Devos for Those in the World of Deaf/HH Teens (A&M Books, not yet released) by Bob Ayres with contributions from friends & colleagues