I’ve been reminded lately how we as humans are a distractible species. Or maybe I’m just distractible. But if there’s anything I’ve learned about God, it’s that walking in step with Him — undistracted by this world — brings fulness of life. Walking, moment-by-moment, communing with Him and seeking Him and asking His opinion fills the human soul like nothing else. It’s what we’re created to do.
But we’re distractible. In seconds we start on a journey to wasting minutes to wasting hours to wasting days with nonessentials and fringe pursuits. By “fringe pursuits” I don’t mean “fun” stuff. God isn’t against fun. In fact I’m certain that God’s for fun.
He graces us with fun and laughter and fellowship…and a good cup of coffee with friends while you almost pee in your pants because of the male flight attendant’s hair that is stuck in the 80’s with feathered sides plastered with Aquanet hairspray. Sorry. Sidenote. And that conversation was probably our flesh rather than God.
But God has me in a familiar place where the cry of my heart is to hear when He says to turn right or turn left. I want to hear His promptings above all the noise in this life. I want to hear when He wants me to speak a word to a stranger or say “yes” to my son’s messy crafting request or send a card to a friend. I want to walk in step with Him in the little things. Because walking in step with Him brings fulness of life.
That kind of fulfilling, intimate relationship begins in the small things. It begins with obedience in the small things. For example, (moment of vulnerability) God has cautioned/convicted/warned me about texting in the car. I know, I know, I know. I know. But for some reason my hand wants to pick up the phone at stop lights. Which leads to picking up the phone at yield signs. Which leads to never putting down the phone. Mother, please don’t call me with a lecture. I. Know.
So what happens if I sense God’s warning on this texting issue but I don’t obey? Like I did the other day with justifications like, “I’ll be really quick” or “They need an answer now”. Over time, if I keep rejecting His gentle nudges, I won’t hear His voice. Over time, if I keep turning away from what He’s leading me to do in these seeming small things, I’ll be in a pattern of disobedience, and greater and greater consequences could follow.
Walking in step with God in BIG things
begins with walking in obedience to small things.
He speaks out of love. If only we would really get that. He leads us out of His overflowing, passionate, pursuing love that sees the beginning from the end. If only we would really believe that. So if we want to hear when He’s telling us to do big things, we need to start by obeying when He tells us to do small things.
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
Psalm 119:4-6
Personally, my texting solution is to give my phone to my kids while I drive. Let them duke it out for a turn with “Snail Bob”. I’m making myself accountable to them…and now you since I’ve been all vulnerable and you see more of my mess. But I just want to hear my God on the big, eternal things. I want to be trustworthy to follow through with His word. And that begins in the small things — by putting down my phone when He says to keep my eyes on the road.
Fill me, Lord…
What seeming “small thing” have you sensed God leading you to do?
How have you seen this obedience thing play out in your own life?
“I want to hear His promptings above all the noise in this life. I want to hear when He wants me to speak a word to a stranger or say “yes” to my son’s messy crafting request or send a card to a friend.” beautiful! I, too, want to hear!
Right there with you, Peggy.
Loved this. So very true. I was just talking to God this morning about how distractible I am with both good things and…well, just pointless crap 🙂 The times when I feel His presence the most is in the everyday stuff, just walking with Him, talking with Him, and getting to know Him more. A lesson I seem to keep re-learning. 😉
First of all, I love that you said “pointless crap”. Love it. And second, yes, the re-learning. Constantly being transformed. Just when I think “I’m getting this faith-walk-thing,” He opens my eyes to the ever-brewing depravity in my flesh. So thankful for grace. Love to you, sister friend.
Guilty.
Aren’t we all. Thankful for grace!
A minor point in the piece, but the phone & driving thing is a major issue for me. Thanks for sharing the practical tip! Going to do it today!
So, I deactivated my Facebook account two weeks ago because of this distraction deal. Sometimes when you lack discipline of any kind, drastic measures make sense. Am I on Twitter more? Yes, but my time is still spent more wisely – online and off. Ultimately, I’m seeing how my distraction is more about me going after other gods and a hard heart than a problem with social media.
A very harsh reality, “Me going after other gods.” Ugly truth about all of our hearts. Lord help us.
I love this post. It reminds me of why I recently did a 5 day fast from all the things that were distracting me from hearing God’s voice. For 5 days didn’t have: caffeine, sugar, use social media, listen to music, do my hair or makeup, or wear cute outfits. It was a difficult but rewarding experience, for more about it, http://claritywithcharity.com/?p=1217
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to do a “reboot” at times, cleansing our hearts and minds from things of this world.
Oh yeah, I have dealt with that, it seems like forever. I always felt such a failure until someone brought to my attention that sometimes when we think we have failed or fallen back into old habits is really when God is bringing us to a new level. Now when I see myself falling back I do take a step back to see how far I have come. Sometimes it is further than I thought. Through this I quit beating myself up for failing when I can now renew a new adventure.
thanks so much for your insight. It is thought provoking and makes me take a step back a look at where I am.
Blessings to you, Margie, in this faith journey. 🙂
WOW…Your post was written SPECIFICALLY for me….no analogies, exactly what I’ve been praying for. I NEVER ever comment, but then He prompted me to let you know how much your words meant today (and many days)….and, well, obedience starts with the small. Thank you for your time and effort that you give in blog posts…you make a difference.
You are so sweet, Audra. Really. It is very encouraging to hear that God is graciously using these words to somehow bless others. I appreciate the comment. 🙂
Yes. All of it, YES. I need strength to fight against the distractions being offered to me every second of every day. It’s a real battle. Thank you for sharing.