“I can’t believe you did this!” I stared incredulously at my friend and her small family on my front porch. It wasn’t 8 am; yet my friend intuitively knew I hadn’t slept a wink after reading my prayer request.
She “couldn’t do much” she said. But she knew she could be present. And at that moment, her presence meant the world.
Even though she had many other good things she needed to do, could do, should do, that day.
In Luke 4:42-43, Jesus also faced the challenge of doing what He knew He was called to do in lieu of what good things vied for His attention at that moment. Jesus was intentional with His time and His actions. Even “good things” couldn’t dissuade Him from His calling.
Jesus knew how to sort through voices. What others said He should do. What His own voice told Him He wanted to do. What God had authored for Him to do.
He didn’t allow distractions to dissuade Him from following God’s directions.
God promises in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (NIV)
He knows His plans for you and me.
As His children, we often search out those plans, even for the agenda for the day.
The question is: once we discern those plans do we allow distractions to dissuade us from them?
Or, do we follow Jesus’ lead and diligently stay the course, even declining invitations to do good?
Wow, isn’t it hard to always say ‘yes’ to an agenda we didn’t author? Isn’t it difficult to say ‘no’ when we vividly see the good we could be doing?
Jesus knows the pull on our hearts and the tug for our time. He understands that humans have limited resources. He showed us what to do when faced with time and energy constraints: side with God’s direction.
Maybe like me, you also find it challenging to always do God’s to-do list. The begging eyes of a child, the messy kitchen calling, or pile of work staring you straight in the eye! Yet, when I feel myself pausing at that crossroads, I recall my friend and her crazy, early morning visit. I can’t adequately articulate how much her presence blessed me that morning.
I pray I too, can obey His agenda and bless someone else!
Are you too, sometimes unsure how to spend today’s time, choosing between good that should be done, and better things that pop up? God will direct us when we ask. Let’s ask God together for just that.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your guidance and Your example of what to do each moment. Thank You that You do indeed know the plans you have for me. May I discern Your voice, Your plans, and not allow myself to be distracted or dissuaded from them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.