My life is very busy.
Sometimes there is so much to do and so much going on that the thesis of my prayers frequently becomes, "Lord, help me to focus on you today." I tell Him that I need Him to help me think of Him throughout the day. I need Him to help me live in the Spirit today. I need Him to help me remember to pray throughout the day. Does anyone share a similar experience?
It seems like a have a million things to do before I leave for work. At 7:00 am. I know I have a million things to do at work. My job is a very busy one, in which I have to be proactively ready for anything, at any time. I work 10 or 11 hours a day, always trying to outperform in a high-stress environment. And I need to keep up on the news. And investments. And devotionals. And the internal politics of the office. And in my line of work, I have 2000 bosses. And then, once I leave work, there are a few million more things which need my undivided attention before I can lay my head down to sleep. And I don't even have kids (yet!).
I prayed to God this morning to help me focus on Him today, through the hurricane that is my life. And, I thought of you. If you share a similar lifestyle, I pray for you, too. If you feel compelled, say a quick prayer for me.
Let's focus on what really matters, in light of eternity.
Strangely enough,
ReplyDeleteI was in church on Sunday (shocking, I know!) and the Minister was preaching about being 'in the moment'. About focusing on what you are doing and not looking back on what could have been or thinking ahead to what will come next week - focus on the now and things become much clearer.
It's very easy to get overwhelmed with 'stuff' these days. Just make sure you take some time to relax and unwind, otherwise you'll burn out and it'll affect your health.
Take care,
Matt
Matt,
ReplyDeleteChurch last Sunday? Good for you, man! If I may ask, why did you go to church? Do you have a relative or friend who asks you to go on occasion?
I appreciate the comments and concern. I do need to take more time to relax and unwind, for sure!
And, he 'in the moment' message is just what I need to hear, sometimes...I plan to plan for the future so much that I fail to look around and appreciate everything!
I was in Church for my cousin's daughter's Baptism.
ReplyDeleteI'm considering going more frequently because they organize some really pro-active things to help the surrounding community and the speaker...wow! Rev. (Dr) Malcolm Sinclair is one of the finest public public speakers I've ever seen.
I got the feeling, from my dealings with many of the posters from Atheist Central and beyond, that the Church (United Church, if you've heard of it) would be considered heretical as it didn't focus on the Law or Hell or any of the key salvation issues that Ray's always banging on about.
Anywho, make sure you set aside, at least, an hour a day to relax, read, paint, walk; whatever it is that you do to chill out and remember what the important things in your life are. I find that when I remind myself what is important, all the stuff that stresses me out disappears.
Cheers,
Busy has been my middle name.
ReplyDeleteI know your a boy and all-
But, when I am busy I think 'Don't be like Martha. Be like Mary.'
I go back and see what Mary did again.
As a matter of a fact, I happen to have time now...
:)
Matt,
ReplyDeleteSorry it's been a couple of days, I've been ... well ... busy (sigh).
An Englishmen (wait, wouldn't it be Englishman? Singular?) in Canada? How in the world did that come about? You've got me curious.
I'm not far from Canada myself. If you're anywhere near Windsor, you're not far from me. I live in Michigan.
Regarding your SMRT project thingy...if you're really interested in going through the Bible, I would highly recommend the fellow I told you about before. You can see his information in the left margins of my blog. Dr. J. Vernon McGee...he really is awesome. Very simple, though educated Bible instruction.
Check out ttb.org and you can download any of his short Bible studies in MP3. He's got a unique Texas/California American accent you've probably never heard before. And by the time he recorded his 5-year Bible study, he was pretty old...but he really is cool.
How old were you when you moved from England?
This is a topic that came up just a few weeks ago at a small group I lead. I cautioned one of the folks in my group not to fall into the trap of praying "Lord help me to..." without realizing what we're asking for. Too often in my own life I have fallen into that trap. "Lord, help me to read your Word more" or "Lord, help me to focus on you today". Then one day I thought to myself. How would the Lord answer that prayer? Would he provide all the answers in a book perhaps? Would he send a Savior for me that I should worship and praise with every breath? I found the answer to my question in James 4:8:
ReplyDelete"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
You see, I needed to draw closer to Him. I needed to stop distracting myself with the things I thought mattered. He already had that prayer answered long before it left my lips.
-W.S. (mike)
Very insightful, Mike. I thank you, sincerely, for your feedback.
ReplyDeleteHey SinnerSaved,
ReplyDeleteI've only been in Canada for about 18 months and I came here because this is where the love of my life lives :)
I'll check out Dr. McGee if I get a chance this week, thanks.
Matt