Isaiah 17:10-11 (NLT)
10 Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you. You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you. So you may plant the finest grapevines and import the most expensive seedlings. 11 They may sprout on the day you set them out; yes, they may blossom on the very morning you plant them, but you will never pick any grapes from them. Your only harvest will be a load of grief and unrelieved pain.
As I read this I immediately began to think about my life, all that He has given me, and His constant reminder to go to Him first in all things. Not second, or after the fact, but FIRST! Truthfully it's challenging at times: A fast-paced life, plenty of distractions, and an abundance of blessings to take for granted. I believe God cares about the smallest of small details in life. The Bible says He keeps a record of our tears (Psalm 56:8). Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His will (Matthew 10:29). Countless verses in the Bible tell us that He cares about every detail of our life.
Over the past couple of years this is something that I have really tried to start doing and I can say with confidence that He does provides... Immeasurably more! I think it is natural to go to Him in the big things, but how much of life is really made up of big things? Everyone would likely have a slightly different opinion based on their own life experiences, but I would say in my life, 95% of life is filled with small things. Why would I not go to Him FIRST on 95% of my life?
As I seek to do this on a daily basis I am realizing that the change isn't necessarily in the circumstances of life; the change is in my perception of them. If I go to Him at the beginning of the day and truly surrender my time to Him, then I take heart in knowing that when challenges come (because they will come) it’s an opportunity for me to learn, and it's supposed to be there! Painting a house comes to mind. If someone is building a house do they complain when it is being painted? No, they likely look forward to it in anticipation knowing it will bring it one step closer to completion. Would the same person be just as excited to repaint the house they are living in now? Probably not. It would likely be viewed as a costly and time consuming repair. Same event, same process, but two completely different perspectives.
Perhaps it's not as much about what is being done but rather how we view it. With Him leading its construction, with us leading its repair.
Father,
Thank You for everything You are! Thank You for Your infinite blessings that You shower on us in abundance. Help us to put You first in all things. Open our eyes to see Your ways. We long to become more like You! Amen.
10 Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you. You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you. So you may plant the finest grapevines and import the most expensive seedlings. 11 They may sprout on the day you set them out; yes, they may blossom on the very morning you plant them, but you will never pick any grapes from them. Your only harvest will be a load of grief and unrelieved pain.
As I read this I immediately began to think about my life, all that He has given me, and His constant reminder to go to Him first in all things. Not second, or after the fact, but FIRST! Truthfully it's challenging at times: A fast-paced life, plenty of distractions, and an abundance of blessings to take for granted. I believe God cares about the smallest of small details in life. The Bible says He keeps a record of our tears (Psalm 56:8). Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His will (Matthew 10:29). Countless verses in the Bible tell us that He cares about every detail of our life.
Over the past couple of years this is something that I have really tried to start doing and I can say with confidence that He does provides... Immeasurably more! I think it is natural to go to Him in the big things, but how much of life is really made up of big things? Everyone would likely have a slightly different opinion based on their own life experiences, but I would say in my life, 95% of life is filled with small things. Why would I not go to Him FIRST on 95% of my life?
As I seek to do this on a daily basis I am realizing that the change isn't necessarily in the circumstances of life; the change is in my perception of them. If I go to Him at the beginning of the day and truly surrender my time to Him, then I take heart in knowing that when challenges come (because they will come) it’s an opportunity for me to learn, and it's supposed to be there! Painting a house comes to mind. If someone is building a house do they complain when it is being painted? No, they likely look forward to it in anticipation knowing it will bring it one step closer to completion. Would the same person be just as excited to repaint the house they are living in now? Probably not. It would likely be viewed as a costly and time consuming repair. Same event, same process, but two completely different perspectives.
Perhaps it's not as much about what is being done but rather how we view it. With Him leading its construction, with us leading its repair.
Father,
Thank You for everything You are! Thank You for Your infinite blessings that You shower on us in abundance. Help us to put You first in all things. Open our eyes to see Your ways. We long to become more like You! Amen.