What gets lugged into each day?

 

Since Piper’s devotional for today was the last of a long one split into three days, I had another look at what Callaway had to say in his little book. He hit me with his description of taking too much stuff in his golf bag and how that was ruining his game. 

“I’ve got the full set, plus a driving iron. I’ve got an oversized 1-wood named Bertha and a ball retriever in case she misfires. My pockets are heavy with coins and ball markers and tees and car keys. The mosquitos where I live show up on radar screens, so I throw in a generous bottle of repellant. And sunscreen. And Band-Aids. One can’t be over-prepared, so I bring along bottled water, aspirin, and a knife that doubles as a club head cleaner, a cleat tightener, a bottle-top remover, and an alarm clock. I keep an extra jacket in my bag, too. Rain pants. An umbrella. Club head covers. And a coupon book that expired last September. Lugging all these accessories around the course made the rounds miserable, so I bought a small pull-cart to help me. Now I have a place to carry two more pop cans, the scorecard, four tees, and some extra pencils. If this continues, I’ll have to buy another cart.”

Of course this relates to life. While he compared it to “picking up a load of fear” and filling his mind with concerns he was not meant to bear, I compared it to my to-do list. Today it has a shopping errand, some laundry, email to answer, update two blogs, send a gift to someone, purge the storage room, read portions of three books, work on two quilts, plus the usual meals and household chores not listed. Never mind any interruptions, phone calls, or other things not written down that might pop up. Yikes.

Yesterday’s sermon was from this familiar passage:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38–42)

I’ve always considered myself a ‘Mary’ but see how easily I slip into being “anxious and troubled about many things.” Even if I never forget to have devotions, how many times do I really listen to Jesus before starting anything else? The pastor stressed the importance of choosing the best portion before doing even the good things on our agenda. For me, it was helpful because seeking His will makes a difference in how the day goes. For one thing, it seems longer, and I make less mistakes. However, he also said that listening is not just waiting for my turn to talk or to make excuses for not having time to listen.

Callaway’s writing pushes me to consider that long list. What does Jesus say about it? Is some of it not important or non-essential? Am I burdening myself with extras ‘just in case’ rather than trusting Him for whatever might come up?

Of course lunch had to be made. The doing of it was not Martha’s problem. He spoke to her about her anxiety and attitude toward her work. Mary was being settled by taking instruction first. She no doubt helped Martha after that, but not before listening to the One who wants His servants to be at peace and find joy in all that we do.

PRAY: Thank You Jesus for all that You teach me. I sit and listen at church, yet know that listening ought to be a 24/7 attitude. You want me to know what You know and think how You think about everything, not just my list. Who knows… You might take things off it or even add things to it, but at the end of the day, knowing I’ve listened to You and followed Your instructions results in great rewards for making that choice.

Summer selections?

 

Summer brings with it many more options. In our country, winter is easier because cold, snow, icy roads, and so on keep us from doing many things. But today the sun is shining and my to-do list has more possibilities than can be done in the hours ahead. How do I choose?

Piper says “Jesus Christ is the refreshing center of summer” and that He is preeminent in all things because He is my head, the One who runs my life as a member of His body: 

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18)

That means He governs my life, not just church activities but vacations, picnics, softball, long walks, and cookouts and all other options. Yet I must remember His words: 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

He does not intend to govern me with burdens that make me exhausted. His burdens are light, even in the summer, meaning I need to seek Him and select what is from Him so that I am not worn out from trying to do it all.

In our many moves, even this latest one, new options appear. Add them to the load? Not possible. Some things must be dropped and I am certain it should not be devotional time, prayer, concern for others, and family needs. Priorities cannot be set aside so there is more time for the new choices, yet some of them are important too. I need the wisdom and energy God gives. 

Piper asks, “Do we want it? Christ gives himself to us in proportion to how much we want his refreshment. He quotes, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) That includes seeking Him for answers about what I do with each day. Even this very ordinary Tuesday has more responsibilities than I think will fit and I slept an hour longer than normal besides. I need to seek the Lord’s leading.

Piper offers another thought: “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. . . .”  (Acts 3:19–20)
Sin is simply wanting to run my own life. Repentance is not just turning away from that sin; it is also turning toward the Lord with hearts open, expectant, and submissive. Am I willing to drop the I-wants in favor of His will? And therefore be refreshed?

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1–2)

Yesterday I started a massive project that invites me today to advance progress on it. But there are household chores, garden chores, a shopping list (this is 15% off day at the grocery), and at least one person to talk with, plus that project. Can it all be done in 14 hours? Not likely.

PRAY: Jesus, my prayer today will again be much longer that is written here. Guide me in the praying but also in the choosing. May Your will be clarified and accomplished. Like most days, there will be interruptions and unexpected demands. May my mind be on You and my heart listening for Your voice — sincerely and whole-heartedly — and may You be glorified in all of it. Amen.

What is at the top of my ‘treasure list’?

 

Last night I tidied my studio. I have a wall of shelving full of fabric. When I look at it, two thoughts come to mind. One is the lament of many quilters: I will not live long enough to use it all. The other is a remark my son made when he last saw it: “Mom, when you die, what am I supposed to do with all this fabric?”

Since fabric is part of my creative passion, I need to guard my attitude toward it. I know that despite the benefits of money and our worldly possessions, everything I own is eventually lost. If someone doesn’t steal it, or if it doesn’t lose its value, or it never get used to make a charity quilt, death will separate all that fabric from me. That’s why Jesus said,

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19–20)

Today’ devotional states it plainly: unlike earthly treasures, our eternal inheritance can never be taken away from us.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:3–4)

MacArthur connects this distinction between earthly possessions and my eternal inheritance to sin. Without sin, he suggests this futility may not exist.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (Romans 8:20–22)

Again, he repeats that my eternal inheritance is not like earthly treasures. It is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for me. The words used here describe a land that had never been ravaged or plundered by an invading army, meaning that my spiritual inheritance is secure and can never be violated by an intruder—not even Satan himself. That invasion began in Eden and was defeated at Calvary. We wait until our victory is fulfilled.

“Undefiled” speaks of something unpolluted by sin. “Will not fade away” suggests a supernatural beauty that time cannot impair. Peter used the same word in 1 Peter 5:4 to speak of the unfading crown of glory faithful church leaders will receive when Christ returns. “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4)

My eternal inheritance is unique. Unlike my fabric or any other possessions, no one can steal it, it cannot rot or burn up, and nothing can ruin it or diminish it in any way. It’s mine to enjoy to its fullest throughout all eternity. While the pursuit of perishable things can be a distraction from the joy of eternal riches, thinking about eternity keeps me from getting in a tizzy about ‘using up all that fabric.’ God’s plan lasts far longer than anything I can create or do while here on earth. This truth helps me keep my perspective and keeps me from using that pile of color and cloth as an excuse for ‘no time’ for prayer and doing whatever else God asks.

PRAY: Lord, You are excellent in keeping me focused. I’ve fought a bit of ADHD most of my life, but You have taken care of it by putting Yourself first in my heart. I’m so thankful that You continually remind me of what is the most value to You and what will last for eternity.

PONDER: I read Matthew 6:19-34 and realize how God has proven the truth of verse 33 by insisting I focus on Him instead of all the other things that try to capture my attention. Again, I am so thankful.