Good morning, men. I get this week to walk us through some daily motivation, and hopefully, something to think about in our pursuit of Jesus. Congrats to all of you who are still going strong. With busy lives, fitting all of these tasks can get challenging.
Something I have been mulling over for a few days is how many of these days have become simply checking a box. Getting the workouts in, drinking more water than my bladder can process and dialing in the eating somehow turns automatic. I even sat through a birthday party with a healthy selection of whiskey and end up drinking sparkling water.
Getting fit and strong is valuable and I love it. Eating healthy makes you feel good.
However, I've noticed when I treat my time with God and reading the Bible as another task as apart of a larger commitment, I realized I'm missing a huge part of what I'm doing. My goal was to be able to grow closer to God and hear Him. What I've done is allow distraction and rushed through journaling to check the final box and make myself feel good because I "accomplished" a task. I completely missed the point.
"And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone," Matthew 14:23.
There's a of times Jesus pulled an Irish Goodbye and left to be alone with His father. I've put it on my task list and Jesus prioritized getting alone with His father often. Our lives are inundated with distraction the moment we wake until we sleep. We tend to operate on task lists, metrics and just getting stuff done. We must get quiet and alone with God in a world that wants us distracted.
Something to think about - This is just me, but spending time quiet with God in the morning sets the tone for the day. Emails, calls, etc. are waiting to force you into problem solving mode. So think about coming to Jesus first thing. Here's another thing. Just come to be with Him. No agenda, no "fix this for me, Jesus" list, don't try to force a conversation. Sit with Him to be with Him. Maybe He'll speak, maybe He won't. But I know Jesus wants to be with you.
One of my favorite speakers / authors, Jamie Windship, asks these two questions in prayer: What do you want me to know? What do you want me to do?
Go choke Monday out and let it know whose running the show! Love and serve those around you well.
