The swollen ground yields to my weight as I walk to the pasture. I sink into the earth with each step and I hear the squish of moisture released from the dirt – like water from a sponge. The grass is tall because we have not been able to keep up with mowing between the rains. Mildew and mushrooms grow over the weeds. Mold clings like Rorschach inkblots on the wooden walls of the shelters. When it isn’t raining, the humidity is still 70 – 90%. Even my bleach spray just can’t keep up. We are saturated.
The soft, wet, earth brings and the worms to the surface. Bugs of all sorts have multiplied in this water-logged condition. The ducks have enjoyed a smorgasbord of grand proportions. Even Poppy is completely satiated. She isn’t interested in our worm hunts because her belly is already full. I call for her and she just sits, her belly too full for even one more bite. How I miss her eager anticipation to meet me for our hunting adventures together.
Saturated. Soaked. Sopping. Full. Stuffed. Satiated.
The non-stop demands, pressures and distractions of our daily routines are not much different than the incessant rains at the farm. The phones in our pockets and the notifications from our i-watches buzz and beep with the rhythm of “look here”. The constant bombardment of social media images, work and personal expectations beat on our time and attention like a hard rain. We are SO FULL of the swirling distractions and in our competitive environments that there is little room left in our spirit for our God.
That’s not a good place for a Christ-follower to be. There is too much available in our modern age to balance it all. It’s not about aligning the fulcrum on the teeter-totter anymore so that you can “have it all” – because the “all” is overwhelming, overweight, over-rated and over done. It’s time to let go and it’s time to prioritize. If you want a thriving, healthy, spiritual life – an authentic, vibrant, loving relationship with our LORD, then it’s time to “minimize” and “prioritize”. Ask the Spirit to help you to identify and unload some of the “little g” gods that are taking up your precious and limited time.
He wants our attention. This is what he asks for consistently in the OT and NT. He is a jealous God who wants our focus on Him. He wants us seeking him first and always BECAUSE He loves us that much. He wants to guide our steps, He wants to be with us while we plan our day, our lives, our time.
I am imagining Him right now crossing things off my To-Do list and giving me the eyebrow for trying to add, “just one more thing”! Thank you Lord for keeping me straight!
“You must not have any god but me.” Exodus 20:3 (NLT)
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,and He will give you everything you need .” Matt. 6:33 (NLT)
