Exodus 20:5
You must never bow or worship it in any
way; for I, the Lord your God, am very possessive. I will not share your
affection with any other god!
“And when I punish people for
their sins, the punishment continues upon the children, grandchildren,
and great-grandchildren of those who hate me;
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Greg and I have been in
“purge mode” of late…sorting through closets and cleaning out the
clutter. There is nothing like the death of a loved one – and the
necessity to sort through THEIR belongings and decide what to keep – to
motivate one to clean out his/her own “stuff!” So as I have been
spending a good deal of time sorting through my mother’s things and
deciding what is important to me to keep – and what to pass on for
someone else to sort – I have come to some (for me) stark realizations.
Here’s
the first one…anything can become an idol…including our “stuff!” We
hang onto all sorts of things and place far too much importance on them
for what are sometimes irrational reasons. Realizing this has helped me
to let go of Valentines and birthday cards from my toddler years…old
newspaper clippings…and more. Innovations like scanners and digital
cameras that can preserve an image of some of the more historical and
sentimental pieces has revolutionized this process – and helped me to
let go of a lot of things I would otherwise cling to as a “treasure”
with which I could not part.
Additionally, I’ve had to ask
myself…”Will I really use this? Will I read this book, or will it
collect dust on my shelf? Could someone else enjoy this sheet music
that I have no interest in – other than the fact that it belonged to my
family?” If the answer is negative in any way, the items have to go! A
dear friend who has “inherited” in recent years made the comment that
[paraphrased] “My house is filled with the past rather than the
future.” And the past – or relics from it – can also become our “idol.”
We
are not to worship the belongings of others…and as I am learning, the
memories such items evoke are still there, even when the “treasure” has
been discarded. This is not disrespectful to the person who cherished
or accumulated these things. And if the truth be told…many of the items
I have sorted through lately were buried like a time capsule for 50
years or more – and nobody had given them a second thought! So why are
they suddenly so important again? Let’s enjoy the memory…snap a photo
or two – or make a scanned image – then let it go!
I come from a
long line of certified pack rats! If you could have seen my maternal
grandfather’s desk (and I literally mean, if you could have SEEN it!) –
then my mother’s office – you would understand why Mother always said
that my messy desk “is so neat and organized!” (It’s not!) So I totally
get the part of this passage about “curses” continuing to future
generations!
What does this mean for us in a Spiritual context?
Again, I must say…ANYTHING can become an idol. It can be money,
possessions, work, another person, our hobby…or even our STUFF and that
of other people who are/were significant to us! We get so caught up in
all of these things – and the “idol worship” – that we lose focus on
God. My Jesus Calling* entry for today talked about seeking
Jesus – and how He runs after those who run after Him. Let’s be
honest…if we are busy pursuing other “idols,” there won’t be time and
energy – much less a desire – to run after God.
When we put our
relationship with Jesus Christ first – and seek His will and word for
our lives, other things fall into place. The priorities tend to order
themselves properly – and we have time for work, relationships, hobbies,
and even relaxation. It becomes apparent what clutter and “junk” are
necessary and significant – and what needs to find a new home (maybe
even the dumpster!).
As you go about your day, seek Jesus at
every turn. Talk to Him…ask Him if you are on the right course. Make
your conversation/relationship with Jesus the most important part of
your day, and everything else will come into focus with amazing
clarity. Figure out what you have made into an idol…and ask God to help
you re-align your priorities. Jesus seeks those who seek Him and
worship HIM above all else. Are YOU one of those? Isn’t it time you
were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*www.JesusCalling.com
Showing posts with label losing sight of what is truly important. Show all posts
Showing posts with label losing sight of what is truly important. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 28, 2016
Psalm 119:33-40
God, teach me lessons for living
so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, Greg’s mother called and told us about an estate sale in a neighborhood near hers. She wanted us to drive over and see all of the wonderful “treasures” for sale. At one time, I would have been “all in!” I love a good estate sale, and when I was reselling items online and at a local antiques store, this would have really gotten me excited. But today, all I could think of was, “It’s just stuff.”
I know this is in large part because of our present circumstances. I have been sorting through things with my family that my mother wanted me to have…and the items she wanted my sister, my niece and me to divide amongst us. I spent two months last winter clearing every closet and drawer in my house of clutter and “stuff” – for our benefit, and to save someone else from having to do it someday. And now I find myself bringing in more “things.”
We will get through this…it happens to everyone who loses a loved one. But what I really want to focus on right now is my family…and the faith in God that sustains me…not the “stuff.” I know what really matters…and it’s not Aunt Susie’s butter dish or Grandma’s diamond ring. Yes, there are items that hold great memories for us…things that are sentimental and significant. But they are only representations of the person who owned them – and our relationship with him/her is what truly matters.
This is a good reminder for us not to get caught up in things that don’t aren’t really important. It’s not about the “stuff” – but rather the person behind those items. It’s not about the physical things...what matters is our relationship with God and how we are allowing Him to use us.
And one more thing…it’s also not about what others think. I will admit that I have been beating myself up a bit because I do not feel emotionally strong enough at this point to attend worship…much less a funeral service or visitation – even for a dear friend. I have questioned how this reflects my claim to trust in God completely and exercise great faith. I received a card in the mail from my fourth grade teacher, who is also a close friend to my family. She gently suggested that I give myself a break…that I take time to breathe - and heal…to let God wrap His arms around me and comfort me for a season. This dependency on God actually IS a demonstration of faith!
This is good advice for a lot of situations where we rush to heal and get better too quickly…where we don’t take time to call on God to help us – and give Him time to do so! Whatever you are experiencing today, know that God is with you. He never leaves us. Give Him space – and the time – to work in your life. Clean out the clutter and focus on what is truly important. God will help you to heal…He will help you get back on track when the time is right…and stay the course! Aren’t you ready to let Him?
©2016 Debbie Robus
God, teach me lessons for living
so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, Greg’s mother called and told us about an estate sale in a neighborhood near hers. She wanted us to drive over and see all of the wonderful “treasures” for sale. At one time, I would have been “all in!” I love a good estate sale, and when I was reselling items online and at a local antiques store, this would have really gotten me excited. But today, all I could think of was, “It’s just stuff.”
I know this is in large part because of our present circumstances. I have been sorting through things with my family that my mother wanted me to have…and the items she wanted my sister, my niece and me to divide amongst us. I spent two months last winter clearing every closet and drawer in my house of clutter and “stuff” – for our benefit, and to save someone else from having to do it someday. And now I find myself bringing in more “things.”
We will get through this…it happens to everyone who loses a loved one. But what I really want to focus on right now is my family…and the faith in God that sustains me…not the “stuff.” I know what really matters…and it’s not Aunt Susie’s butter dish or Grandma’s diamond ring. Yes, there are items that hold great memories for us…things that are sentimental and significant. But they are only representations of the person who owned them – and our relationship with him/her is what truly matters.
This is a good reminder for us not to get caught up in things that don’t aren’t really important. It’s not about the “stuff” – but rather the person behind those items. It’s not about the physical things...what matters is our relationship with God and how we are allowing Him to use us.
And one more thing…it’s also not about what others think. I will admit that I have been beating myself up a bit because I do not feel emotionally strong enough at this point to attend worship…much less a funeral service or visitation – even for a dear friend. I have questioned how this reflects my claim to trust in God completely and exercise great faith. I received a card in the mail from my fourth grade teacher, who is also a close friend to my family. She gently suggested that I give myself a break…that I take time to breathe - and heal…to let God wrap His arms around me and comfort me for a season. This dependency on God actually IS a demonstration of faith!
This is good advice for a lot of situations where we rush to heal and get better too quickly…where we don’t take time to call on God to help us – and give Him time to do so! Whatever you are experiencing today, know that God is with you. He never leaves us. Give Him space – and the time – to work in your life. Clean out the clutter and focus on what is truly important. God will help you to heal…He will help you get back on track when the time is right…and stay the course! Aren’t you ready to let Him?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 27, 2015
Psalm 119:10-11
I have tried my best to find you—don’t let me wander off from your instructions. I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Have you ever misplaced something and “hunted high and low” for it? When you finally DID locate whatever it was you were looking for, did you vow to put it in a safe place so that you would remember that it was there? Have you ever said, “Someday, when I least expect it, XYZ will show up”…and stopped looking for whatever you lost?
This is exactly what a lot of us do with God. I’m not talking about misplacing our Bible…although I’m sure that happens! I’m talking about getting so caught up in our own desires and agendas and pushing God to the “back burner” to the point that He ultimately ends up under a pile of “stuff”, shoved to the corner. And the first thing you know it, we wonder, “Where did God go?” Sadly, some of us leave Him there and assume that we’ll “find Him when we really need Him”!
The truth is that God didn’t go anywhere. We wandered off! And a lot of us have found our way back to God and said, “I’m ever going to let You go again!” But then things happen, “life” gets in the way, and we slip back into old habits.
We are reminded in this verse from Psalm 119 that we must make every effort to see that this doesn’t happen! We must stay in constant fellowship with God…seek His word and wisdom…rest in His peace and comfort…and diligently pursue His will for our lives. We must keep God in a place where we always know that He is there – and we must make sure that we never “lose” Him again.
Unlike some of our things that get “buried” or “lost”, God is not hard to find. He is only a whisper away. Will this be the day that you call to Him and give Him a place of permanent prominence in your life, once and for all?
©2015 Debbie Robus
I have tried my best to find you—don’t let me wander off from your instructions. I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Have you ever misplaced something and “hunted high and low” for it? When you finally DID locate whatever it was you were looking for, did you vow to put it in a safe place so that you would remember that it was there? Have you ever said, “Someday, when I least expect it, XYZ will show up”…and stopped looking for whatever you lost?
This is exactly what a lot of us do with God. I’m not talking about misplacing our Bible…although I’m sure that happens! I’m talking about getting so caught up in our own desires and agendas and pushing God to the “back burner” to the point that He ultimately ends up under a pile of “stuff”, shoved to the corner. And the first thing you know it, we wonder, “Where did God go?” Sadly, some of us leave Him there and assume that we’ll “find Him when we really need Him”!
The truth is that God didn’t go anywhere. We wandered off! And a lot of us have found our way back to God and said, “I’m ever going to let You go again!” But then things happen, “life” gets in the way, and we slip back into old habits.
We are reminded in this verse from Psalm 119 that we must make every effort to see that this doesn’t happen! We must stay in constant fellowship with God…seek His word and wisdom…rest in His peace and comfort…and diligently pursue His will for our lives. We must keep God in a place where we always know that He is there – and we must make sure that we never “lose” Him again.
Unlike some of our things that get “buried” or “lost”, God is not hard to find. He is only a whisper away. Will this be the day that you call to Him and give Him a place of permanent prominence in your life, once and for all?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 2, 2014
Luke 22:27-30
“Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God’s people.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A Facebook friend posted a link to an article about basketball legend Michael Jordan, written last year for ESPN’s Outside the Lines by Wright Thompson. “Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building” is a sad, yet compelling commentary on the life of a 50-year-old athlete who has acquired much wealth and fame… but possibly lost his true identity and peace in the bargain. Thompson tells of the mega-millions Jordan has acquired as an athlete, and as a businessman off the court. He speaks of a failed marriage…a time when life was much simpler for Jordan…the death of MJ’s father… and his engagement to 34-year-old Yvette Prieto. And he documents what Michael Jordan himself admits is an incredibly huge ego.
Jordan talks about going to Florida to visit Yvette’s Cuban family. He notes how simple a meal at their house was… how her grandparents speak little English and do not know much about basketball… and how this visit reminded him of his youth in Wilmington, North Carolina. He told Thompson that “My ego is so big now that I expect certain things.”* And that’s the trouble with a lot of us. We’re not Michael Jordan, of course… but like him, we have attached so much imaginary importance to ourselves that we have totally lost our grip on what truly matters.
“When is it my turn?”…”What about me and what I want/need?”…”How could this happen to me?”…”Who will take care of me?”…all of these are questions many of us voice on a regular basis. Our concern is not with how we can help others, because we are too caught up in our own agendas and “What’s in it for me?” to consider being a true servant. And yet, the greatest “celebrity” of all… the One who truly had every right to be revered and respected… and placed on a pedestal like we tend to do for modern-day athletes and others – chose to live among us as one who serves. Jesus Christ modeled perfectly how we are supposed to conduct our lives. Any wealth and blessings we are allowed should be used to fuel and energize our efforts to serve others in His name.
In his article, Thompson tells of an employee who found letters that Michael Jordan wrote to his parents while he was a student at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. The employee was astonished at how “normal” Jordan seemed… how he talked of campus life, food in the cafeteria… and how he always needed money. One letter ended with a request for his parents to “please send stamps.” I have to tell you… the overall tone of this article was that of a man who “has it all”… yet has very little. The writer paints a picture of a life that seems empty…sad…and lacking in purpose. Jordan tells him that the simpler time of life in Wilmington is gone, and he cannot get it back… that now he expects certain things that he did not require before.
Does this describe you? Have you become so wrapped up in your own desires and “needs” that you fail to think of others? Have you become a dinner guest at the table who demands to be served and never offers to take a turn at extending assistance or attention to others? How are we using God’s gifts? Are we building our egos and amassing “wealth” and attention… and losing our heart and soul in the bargain? Or are we learning from Jesus’ example and truly taking up the responsibilities among God’s people… and serving in His name?
Have we, like Michael Jordan, become so caught up in our own story that we have failed to recognize the other guy’s narrative? Is life so complicated and out-of-control that we cannot even recognize that sometimes, all someone really needs is a word of encouragement… and maybe some stamps? Isn’t it time we regained our focus? Will this be the day that you set aside your own requests and yearnings to serve someone else? Will you be “the one who eats the dinner”… or the one who serves it?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/Michael-Jordan/michael-jordan-not-left-building
“Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God’s people.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A Facebook friend posted a link to an article about basketball legend Michael Jordan, written last year for ESPN’s Outside the Lines by Wright Thompson. “Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building” is a sad, yet compelling commentary on the life of a 50-year-old athlete who has acquired much wealth and fame… but possibly lost his true identity and peace in the bargain. Thompson tells of the mega-millions Jordan has acquired as an athlete, and as a businessman off the court. He speaks of a failed marriage…a time when life was much simpler for Jordan…the death of MJ’s father… and his engagement to 34-year-old Yvette Prieto. And he documents what Michael Jordan himself admits is an incredibly huge ego.
Jordan talks about going to Florida to visit Yvette’s Cuban family. He notes how simple a meal at their house was… how her grandparents speak little English and do not know much about basketball… and how this visit reminded him of his youth in Wilmington, North Carolina. He told Thompson that “My ego is so big now that I expect certain things.”* And that’s the trouble with a lot of us. We’re not Michael Jordan, of course… but like him, we have attached so much imaginary importance to ourselves that we have totally lost our grip on what truly matters.
“When is it my turn?”…”What about me and what I want/need?”…”How could this happen to me?”…”Who will take care of me?”…all of these are questions many of us voice on a regular basis. Our concern is not with how we can help others, because we are too caught up in our own agendas and “What’s in it for me?” to consider being a true servant. And yet, the greatest “celebrity” of all… the One who truly had every right to be revered and respected… and placed on a pedestal like we tend to do for modern-day athletes and others – chose to live among us as one who serves. Jesus Christ modeled perfectly how we are supposed to conduct our lives. Any wealth and blessings we are allowed should be used to fuel and energize our efforts to serve others in His name.
In his article, Thompson tells of an employee who found letters that Michael Jordan wrote to his parents while he was a student at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. The employee was astonished at how “normal” Jordan seemed… how he talked of campus life, food in the cafeteria… and how he always needed money. One letter ended with a request for his parents to “please send stamps.” I have to tell you… the overall tone of this article was that of a man who “has it all”… yet has very little. The writer paints a picture of a life that seems empty…sad…and lacking in purpose. Jordan tells him that the simpler time of life in Wilmington is gone, and he cannot get it back… that now he expects certain things that he did not require before.
Does this describe you? Have you become so wrapped up in your own desires and “needs” that you fail to think of others? Have you become a dinner guest at the table who demands to be served and never offers to take a turn at extending assistance or attention to others? How are we using God’s gifts? Are we building our egos and amassing “wealth” and attention… and losing our heart and soul in the bargain? Or are we learning from Jesus’ example and truly taking up the responsibilities among God’s people… and serving in His name?
Have we, like Michael Jordan, become so caught up in our own story that we have failed to recognize the other guy’s narrative? Is life so complicated and out-of-control that we cannot even recognize that sometimes, all someone really needs is a word of encouragement… and maybe some stamps? Isn’t it time we regained our focus? Will this be the day that you set aside your own requests and yearnings to serve someone else? Will you be “the one who eats the dinner”… or the one who serves it?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/Michael-Jordan/michael-jordan-not-left-building
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)