Hopelessly Devoted to You
9:49 AMHeatherMy cousin, Melinda, recently made a comment about how she, too, had been bit by the gym bug, and was really hooked. I laughed out loud. Because I thought it was a gross overstatement and misconception of my trips to the gym. Yes, I have started back to the gym. But, to say that I am somehow "hooked" to it is just not true. I grit my teeth and do it. I HOPE that I can someday be like my friend, Cristel, who took advantage of her kidless hours by choosing to go the gym. But, at this point, I have to say that I am just not feeling it.
And, that makes me wonder something. How do I approach my time with the Lord? Am I devoted to daily spending time in prayer and fellowship with Him, digging into his Word? Do I find joy and fulfillment in that habit? Or, do I just grin and bear it? Do I see it as I do my exercise routine--it's a must and it's good for me, therefore I SHOULD do it? So, I have to press myself to be motivated for it? Have I yet to find that connection to it that just makes me jump out of bed, eager to invest myself in time with the Lord?
The truth of it is that sometimes I am excited and ready and want to pick up where I left off the day before. Some days, I know I need that time in prayer or the encouragement of the Scripture to be able to press forward through the day ahead. And, some days--it is more like the gym. I think, "Well, this is something I should do, it's good for me, so I guess I will. I guess I will make it a point to stop and clear time for this."
I'm just keeping it real, folks. Don't judge me--because I'm sorta guessing that you might wrestle with this back and forth tug of war about the devotion of having a daily "devotion" and time with the Lord.
Ezra is a man who it would seem might teach us a thing or two. My Women of Faith study Bible describes Ezra's leadership as "providing a sure foundation for ordinary people who want their lives to count for God. Ezra not only listens to and learns from God's word, but he also applies himself to sharing what he has learned (Ezra 7:10). Ezra's passion for God spills over into his daily life and helps bring revival to his nation."
Wow. I wouldn't mind being described that way. I wonder if Ezra ever felt a lack of motivation to dive into the Word? I wonder if Ezra ever hit the snooze button instead of jumping up for prayer to start his day? Or was he some superhero of faith, and NEVER struggled with a "grin and bear it" attitude toward Bible study?
I don't really know these answers. That falls into my "someday in eternity I will ask" category. But, I have a thought I want to share. I sorta bet Ezra did feel like I do. I'm just guessing that he had down days, too. Because we know for sure that he was human. And, as I read Ezra 7:9-10, I had an epiphany that just might help me with the hum-drums.
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