As summer draws to a crazy end, I took time this week to look back at how I spent my summer. I didn’t get to go on the road trips I wanted for various reasons, but spent more time outside listening to and leaning into God. God, I love you to death.
I have already shared about how God slowed me down and taught me to be still and not busy every time I am outside. One of my new favorite things to do is sit outside in a chair and listen to the sounds around me or look at the stars.
Summer is normally a time of busyness and playing, but for me it was a time to be still and rest (Exodus 14:14, Psalm 46:10):
I am reminded of the story of Mary and Martha with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42. Martha was too busy actually to sit and spend time with Jesus; Mary gave Him her full attention and devotion without moving. That is a life lesson many Christians need to learn today, myself included. Busyness doesn’t equate to greatness in God’s Kingdom; we don’t get lifted by our works.
It is amazing what God will reveal when we slow down and listen to what He is teaching us; it will blow your mind. In recent years is become all too easy to get distracted by our phones, social media, and other smart devices that make us not so smart.
Our default source for help should come from God, not the Internet or social media (Psalm 121:1-2, Hebrews 13:6). Even the strongest Christian can be easily swayed by technology.
But God’s people are taught to turn to Him first; He is our priority and hope (Matthew 6:33; 22:37-38). We don’t need to have any other agenda if we belong to God.
Most of us like to make agendas to help us focus on our priorities and not get distracted. We all have an agenda in some form: physical, mental, and even spiritual. We make agendas to get what we want or need. Agendas themselves aren’t inherently bad, unless we have ill intentions.
Agendas
Too often, our agenda is self-serving, and our perspective is clouded. Our human nature is fallen and sinful; even our hearts will deceive us (Jeremiah 17:9-10, Matthew 15:18-19).
If we aren’t careful, our agenda can cloud our vision and lead us away from God and His will. It is foolish to think we know better than God about what is best for us (Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Peter 1:20-21, 1 John 2:15-16).
God has a plan for each of us to fulfill His purposes (Jeremiah 29:9-12, Ephesians 2:10). When we come to God, we surrender completely and let go of our agendas and plans (Luke 9:23-24, Romans 12:2-4, Galatians 2:20).
As Christians, I believe we are to leave our selfish desires and agendas at the cross and get washed; God gives us a new life and new desires (Romans 6:6-14, Titus 3:4-7). He does more than just cleanse us of past sins and stupid choices. God uses new desires and new purposes to fulfill His will, not ours. Jesus reminded His followers to love God totally and abandon all (Mark 12:29-30, Luke 9:57-62).
Surrender
When we truly love somebody, it isn’t to get what we want; it is because we care for them and their best interests; those are the only REASONS. Love is not selfish, is sacrificial (John 15:12-13, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Love always puts others first, instead of our selfish wants.
It doesn’t matter how much we say we love God or anyone else if we don’t do what He or they say. It’s not alright (Luke 6:46, John 14:15, 1 John 3:18). True love has no agendas!
