Unshackled Moments ~ March 22, 2017 ~ Times Of Decrease

Let's take one last look at the beauty of the desert before we move on. We rarely choose the desert. Sometimes it is the best thing for us. Sometimes it turns out to be a blessing beyond anything we have ever experienced. But still we rarely choose it or any of its attributes. We can see the necessity, perhaps even the benefits, but still we would rather not travel that route if there is another option.

One aspect of the desert that we benefit from and might choose to keep in our lives, at least from time to time regardless of if we are in a desert time or not, is the aspect of decrease. The desert rids us of the unnecessary. If you must travel through the desert, there is only so much that can be carried, and resources are so scarce that the emphasis is on making sure you have only what you truly need or little more. It becomes more important not to use up energy and resources on that which doesn't matter because it is critical not to run out before reaching the next oasis or the end of the desert.

In times of suffering and lack the things that don't matter loose their power over us. It suddenly becomes all about what we really need. The essentials. God and us. Ease the pain. Take the fear. Find peace. Learn to trust. Experience His comfort. Turn to and rely on Him. Go deeper in relationship. The other things, the clutter in our lives, is blown away like sand on the wind.

As we practice submission and surrender we learn to lean on grace to stay within the will of God. We try to walk in the power of the Spirit to avoid the pitfalls of our old nature. We work on doing the next right thing. We ask God to remove those things from our lives that interfere with our relationship with Him and our service to Him and others. But sometimes we miss the full impact of that concept. We actively work to eliminate the wrong in our lives. We stop, by grace, the sins of commission. We study and pray for guidance so that we can eliminate the  sins of omission, doing what is wrong simply because we don't know better.  But what about the distraction of addition?

Not that all additions are all or always wrong. But when we add luxuries and comforts to the list of what we call needs. achievements and glory to our mission to serve, etc., we can so easily become distracted from what really matters and from our true purpose. I'm not saying that we can't have any extras or that we have to live like a monastery monk. But we do need to beware the danger of the extras, perks and additions becoming too important. We don't need to confuse them with the real needs and our true purpose. Chasing the comforts, working to add to the additions, distracts us from what matters.

Time in the desert, suffering, and even periods of fasting, can bring to the forefront what is essential. We remember that those things that have been added to our lives may be nice, but they are not as important as we sometimes begin believing they are. Times of decrease can lead to true joy as we become comfortable and satisfied in the simplicity of the essential, where all we are and have and need and focus on the relationship with have with Daddy.

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