Reading: Psalm 27:1-5
Yesterday, I was blessed with the opportunity to once again publicly share my testimony. I am always renewed every time I prepare to share. It usually involves a lot of reviewing journal entries which in itself brings a review of interaction I have had in the past with the Lord. Through it all, I grow in my faith and realization of who I am and to Whom I belong. This time was no different and I began thinking once again of the question: What am I seeking?Changing details just a bit, you will find that my days are probably not much different from yours. It usually begins in the morning with a quiet devotional time with the Lord – which has to be very early in the morning before the circus awakes. Then at 6:30 a.m. I wake up the cubs from their hibernation. I have come to find out that I am the only morning person in my family (at least at the moment). When the cubs awake their growling begins with a lot of demands. It is about this time that I usually enlist my husband to help in the effort to just get us out the door. Then the rush is on, breakfast, dressing, hair up (two girls plus summer brings on this extra task), final touches on lunches . . . then out the door we go and, hopefully, mom has remembered to change from her house shoes to her work shoes in the process. The day just continues from there and I find myself preoccupied with the details of the day.
It was in the midst of preparing to share my testimony that the Lord reminded me how to keep focused. My personal testimony goes into how I took advantage of the life the Lord had blessed me with; and in doing so, I was seeking self and not the plan God had for my life. I was going through the motions of being a Christian but not seeking to dwell in the house of the Lord. When troubles came I didn't hide in the shelter of the Father's wings, I would try to fix them myself. Many times I was not successful in doing so. As I live my life today, I so easily get wrapped up in the everyday tasks of life that I must do a constant self-check to make sure I am seeking the Lord and not self. In preparation for sharing this aspect of my life, I realize that I had stopped the practice of what I called “God Moments.” These moments are when I take time to reflect upon the Lord throughout the day. It may be a minute to read an online devotional. It may be a moment to glance at the Scripture that I write on the white board on my desk and reflect upon it's meaning. It may be a moment to just lean back, close my eyes, and ask for the Lord's presence of peace. Whatever is chosen, it is in these moments that I can focus on the Lord and gaze upon His beauty.
What are you seeking? Are you seeking to dwell in the house of the Lord? For those who have heard me speak, you may remember how I refer to asking for strength to live “moment to moment.” For me it is not a day to day prayer that I need but a moment to moment. In just a blink of an eye, life can change and you will find yourself in need of the safety that only the Father can provide in His dwelling. Seeking to dwell in the presence of the Lord is what brings us through those life changing moments and ultimately bring us closer to our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray as the psalmist prayed, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, and gaze upon Your beauty. Guide me in seeking You and only You. It is in dwelling with You that I find my safety. Give me reminders that help me to keep my focus on You and keep my eyes on Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
