Feb
18
2013
No Distractions
Posted in Daily Living, Poetry 6 Comments
I want to see You clearly, Lord.
But I really must confess,
That often things get in the way,
Even things called best.
I know I have a job to do,
A calling on my life,
Things block the view of what I’m to do.
They cause a lot of strife.
You want me unencumbered, Lord.
To lay those things aside.
So I can hear Your guiding voice,
That’s right here by my side.
I think that I can do it all.
Still see You through the mire.
I really do just kid myself.
It makes me very tired.
Do I have the courage, Lord,
To lay those things aside?
Can I lay them down…all around,
Give them a place to hide?
None of it is sinful, Lord.
None of it is wrong.
All of it…distractions.
Stifling Your song.
Your song is getting muted.
Your song that can’t be free.
Your song gets buried beneath it all.
The song You’ve given me.
I thought that I could sing it,
While I did these other things.
But, I was only kidding myself.
The distractions clipped my wings.
How could others hear it?
This song composed for me.
How dare I shroud what You’ve allowed.
I know what’s best, You see.
It’s selfish…the way I’m acting.
My needs ahead of You.
If I seek You first, then all those things,
Are added…that is true.
I simply want what I want, Lord.
I want it now…not then.
I know best about these things.
I know how its going to end.
You just smile lovingly.
You’ve seen it all before.
The way I toss aside Your gifts.
Always wanting more.
The way I never seem to be,
Content with what I have.
Content with where You’ve placed me.
I’m sure that makes You sad.
I really am so grateful, Lord.
Good gifts…I know that’s true.
But I still have the tendency,
To run ahead of You.
I run ahead still worrying,
That You are running late.
Late with all Your promises.
The ones I know are great.
I am never late, My child.
It is plain to see.
Nothing that you ever have,
Will quite compare with Me.
You are to fully trust Me, child.
You are right where you should be.
Like the cloud by day and fire by night.
Just simply follow Me!
The world will make it difficult.
They will say what you should do.
They insinuate, that I am late.
In all I say and do.
But if you search inside My word,
I know that you will find.
All the direction you will need,
To give you peace of mind.
Just when you think you figured out,
What you’re supposed to do.
I may change, what seems so plain,
I do not follow you!
Don’t get so distracted, child.
One thing at a time.
Focus on Me and then you’ll see,
Weight lifted off your mind.
Live life unencumbered, child.
Enjoy what’s before you, now!
You won’t pass this way…another day.
When it’s gone…then you’ll ask, “How?”
______________________________________________________________________
We go through life so distracted.
Perhaps we are distracted because of another person.
A person we have elevated to the position that only God can hold in our life.
Perhaps we are distracted because we spend our time looking around.
Looking around at what others have…or do…and how we fall short.
Distractions take us away from the God.
Distractions take us away from NOW…which is a gift.
Distractions focus on THEN…which is not guaranteed.
Distractions presume that this good gift, in front of us, will still be there when we are finished dabbling in what seems so pressing and important.
It may not be!
All we have is today!
If our distractions are pulling us into the future, we are shortchanging the present.
The present is where He has placed us to do the jobs we’re called to do.
Distractions are foolish because they usurp our focus.
This day we have been given will never come back again.
What are we going to do with it?
As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked,” Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me.”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
Jesus didn’t condemn Martha for all her preparations.
He lovingly pointed out the problem with her priorities.
There is one thing that is important.
Him!
Listening to the Lord; spending time with Him; learning from Him through His Word.
That is the task at hand.
This is where He placed us.
This is the job we are to do.
NOW…not THEN!
No distractions!
Thank you for this, Mrs. Gallagher. It hit hard both in the chest and head, being currently overwhelmed by responsibilities and am struggling to take care of them on my own, rather than listening for and following the Lord’s leading, standing on Him to get through.
Sharon,
I am delighted that this spoke to your heart.
You have such a tender heart for the Lord…and earnestly want to follow Him.
I will continue to pray for you…and all we talked about when we had breakfast together.
Big Rocks in first!
Mrs. Gallagher
I love this Gina. It speaks to me so clearly. You are gifted with insight and wisdom, my friend.
Holli,
You are on my mind, and in my heart, as you get ready to go to the other side of the world…for HIM!
I will pray that God uses you mightily.
I will pray that you see Him in a new way…as you serve others in His name.
Keep me updated…
I miss you, friend!
Gina
Thank you for this today mom. I love you.
Claire,
You’re welcome.
You are deeply loved.
MOM