Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Hope Fully Devoted

“They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin.” Ezekiel 14:3

It seemed harmless at the time. After all, it was a good thing. No once could fault me for pursuing it. Didn’t the Lord provide it in the first place? I mean, I’m innocent. Yet, just as God rebuked His people in Ezekiel 16:17, He says to me, you’ve taken the very beautiful things I have given you and worshiped them. “This is adultery against me!”

I know I have fallen into this trap. A friend becomes the center of my life, taking pre-eminence. A job becomes too important. An area of ministry receives my passion. A dream desired is my only focus. Accolades and people pleasing get all my attention. Blogging, Facebook, Internet are life-lines and to miss a day at my computer would induce hyperventilating. Would a day missed in His Word invoke a similar response? Something is seriously wrong.

My heart has embraced a wrong love.

What truly has my heart’s devotion?

What do I pursue with the intensity and commitment that should be reserved for God alone?

Oh Lord, recapture my heart. May nothing…NOTHING replace or weaken my allegiance to You. Captivate me. Father I long to be hope fully devoted to You.



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7 comments:

~Grace and Peace said...

Very timely. Just last night, after staying up way too late, I realized that I spent more time reading "Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Part III" (my son showed me a funny illustration and I just kept turning the pages!) than my nightly devotions. Thank you for the reminder to re-focus. I'm just glad God is so patient with us.

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Opps! God showed up and rubbed my nose in this today! Ouch! Double ouch! I am guilty ! I know I spend more time reading blogs and emails that I do on my devotions lately. Pray that I will fix this problem SOON!

Thank you for being so honest and showing me where I really am instead of where I need to be!

God bless you Friend!

Marilyn....in Mississippi

Sande said...

Ah ... This is a season of conversation I have been in with Him too. I asked Him

"who is looking after the mommas babies while the mommas are teaching other mommas how to momma?"

He took me back to motive:

"Where are their hearts?"

more pointedly; Where is my heart?

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I'm with you sister...

Keeping the Main Thing the main thing!

Hope all is well. Love you.

peace~elaine

Laura said...

This is so good, Joy. It's just the human way, isn't it? Aren't you glad He is a gentle, loving God? He always brings me back with a tender touch.

Tim and Susan said...

Why is it so hard to remember that it is God alone who satisfies? We run after so many other things (and people) yet He alone gives us all we need.

Thanks for all these encouraging little devotionals...I will definetly read your blog when we are back in Japan and I need that challenging boost and encouragement!!

Deb said...

Joy,

You know that I'm right there with you.

"Would a day missed in His Word invoke a similar response?"

Daily, I struggle with following Him with my whole heart.

Daily,I tell Him that He is my God.

My One and Only. My true God.

That I will not have other gods in His place.

Not running. Not work. Not blogging.

Only Him.

Thank you for helping me to re-direct my focus.

You're so good at that.

Sweet dreams.