Today I began my personal study by reading Chronicles 1-10. When I saw it, it was daunting...the first 9 chapters are all genealogies! I wanted to quit, or stop and come back later (this happened several times). Yet, during my desire to quit, something urged me to finish, held my attention, kept me off my phone (apart from some research in to some issues I found curious in what I read), and, in spite of my misgivings, I finished, and finished strong. I didn't stop my study, I didn't give up, I didn't put it aside to finish late (and let's face it, would I have finished it, really?) I persevered, and finished. Mentally exhausted, but fulfilled. That's how I'd describe my completion of Today's study. So what does this mean for you?
How many times have you had an appointment to spend time alone with God, and failed to complete it, or didn't show? We show up for our Doctors, dentist, hair, nails, and other appointments (at the very least, we should, knowing there's consequences for missing!), but, even when the task is daunting and difficult, how often to we put time alone with God in His word (even when it's genealogies!) on the back burner? Shouldn't time alone be our first priority? Even if the task seems larger than we can handle, if God has called us to it, He will see us through it. Earlier, I said "something" got me through it. I know it was the person of the Holy Spirit, in His quiet way, urging my spirit onward, to complete the time, to read, reflect, and spend time alone with the Father in Prayer. The Race we're running in Christ isn't about what place we get: it's a marathon, not a sprint. We're called to finish the race, and in so doing, we will gain a prize! So my challenge to you: set time aside to become intimate with God through His word and prayer. Sacrifice whatever it takes to get there (seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, then all your worries will be taken care of...Jesus said that!), stop worrying about externals, and do whatever it takes to get to Jesus.
Colossians 1:9-14
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks[d] to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Comments