[Faith-talk] FW: [tbcf] cutting the details

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: Andrew Edgcumbe <andrewjedg at gmail.com>
To: tbcfamilyroom <tbcfamilyroom at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [tbcf] cutting the details
Date: 
Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:19:39 -0500

Cutting The Details

By
Lisa Birch

This week's topic:
Time Alone With God

I admire big-picture people, but I'm not one of them. I'm naturally
drawn to details. Concise details give me clarity, and I appreciate
it. But on a day-to-day
basis, if I'm not careful, those same details can make things more
cloudy for me than clear.

It's easy to get entangled in "stuff" these days-good stuff, and even
great stuff, but all too often, much of it is just unnecessary excess.
I always want
to squeeze in one last detail to "make progress," which eats into my
time for the next thing. So often I've heard in my spirit "stop now,"
but kept my
foot on the gas anyhow, engaging one more idea, returning one more
phone call, responding to one more email or text, or working just a
few more minutes
(hours) before I move on..

A friend recently told me I need to learn how to literally drop
everything, for Jesus.

I listened, but got a bit defensive because I know all about putting
an end to things-habits, lifestyles, etc.-for the Lord.

But she meant literally stopping whatever I'm doing at a particular
time and actually doing it for Jesus.

It may sound trivial, but here's my example: To put a hard stop on
whatever responsibility I'm in the middle of, just to go to sleep at
an earlier hour,
somehow seems to be slack or even selfish if I think about it too long.

But when I re-direct those thoughts to God, and make the cut-off for
Him-dropping everything in that moment just so I can shift all things
to make time
to be alone with Him-I become that Big-Picture person I so highly
regard. Clutter moves out and divine order takes over because the Big
Picture, what's
most important in this life, is in clear view.

Getting to bed early may be a no-brainer for some. But it's one reason
why so many are simply too exhausted for quality time alone with the
Creator. On
the other hand, some of us turn in early every night and wake up
before the sun only to get a head start on the grind again without
giving God more than
a nod or a quick "thank you."

It's good to acknowledge Him and be thankful. It's good to go to
church or sing a song. But He wants more. Our Maker desires to be what
truly comes first
in our lives, not just in our words, but in our actions. He wants us
to enjoy Him-the one and only God, the Eternal Rock Himself-apart from
His blessings.
He wants solid time alone with you and with me, consistently.

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do
not be foolish, but
understand what the will of the Lord is." Eph 5:15-16 (NASB)

Sure we all have valid responsibilities that occupy our time, and I'm
not saying to neglect them. But I am saying priority turns out to be
exactly what
we make it. What's yours?

This "dropping things" for My Father isn't easy. But I want His
wisdom, and I want His will over mine so I can make the most of my
time .and not have it
sucked up by insignificant details.

Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as
unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days
are evil." - Ephesians
5:15-16 (NASB)
Lisa Birch

Publisher of Vertical Fix online magazine,


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