“Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart.” Psalm 86:11
“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work…’ ‘I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.'” John 4:34; 17:4
“See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” Colossians 4:17
The wisps of cloud are like fine bangs in the early pale, and I can’t get them out of my eyes. Strewn and soft, they tickle my attention skyward, in distracted wonder. Each day is different, each morn offers a different style. My mind praises, and wanders.
How easy it is to get distracted by trivialities that blow into our days, that pester our senses and itch our concentration. They may seem insignificant, yet each teases our focus and deters us from what is important, what the Lord would have us be about. They bore in to divide our hearts, our affections and loyalties and determination, and lure away wholehearted zeal.
What are those little foxes that target us? And why do we so easily succumb? Acknowledging that the enemy exists to steal our devotion, kill our resolve, and destroy our fellowship with the Lord and His people is key to guarding against his wiles. The Lord has called us to holiness, but that enemy relentlessly deters us from that path. The Lord has called us to fruitfulness, but the enemy will constantly pull us to apathy, lethargy, or waywardness. Would we pay attention to the battle, and stand to withstand the attacks? (Song of Solomon 2:15; Isaiah 35:8; John 10:10; 15:5; Ephesians 6:10-13)
It helps to have others with whom we can walk, confide, and be accountable. Have we slipped from consistent, honest fellowship? Where and how are we prone to cover up inner wrestlings and temptations? Are we allowing busyness, or difficulty, or shame, to spread distance between us and others God has given to be a sharpening iron? What excuses do we make for this neglect, and what will we do about it? It is difficult to remain undivided, undistracted, and undeterred alone. (Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:23-25)
Our biblical admonition is to ask God for an undivided heart, to follow our Savior’s example to focus on God’s work and will for us, and to remain wholehearted. Where do we feel weak and need the Spirit’s strength? Ask! When is or will be our regular time for concentrating on our Lord and soaking in His word? With whom can we commit to regular fellowship, conversation, Scripture memory, prayer together? The Lord has given us the Body for good reasons, and we all need each other. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
As we close a year and begin a new one, would we desire and determine to be wholeheartedly devoted to the worthy King? What will we put in place to make that happen?
Lord, stand sentry as a wall of fire all around me, keeping me focused on Your glory in my midst, and Your agenda. (Zechariah 2:5)
As the rain and snow 