These homemade compasses are temporary. They aren't like a compass that can be bought and brought out once or twice a year for a camping trip and always point true north. The biggest factor to how well and how long they work is the strength of the magnet used to charge the needle. The stronger the magnet, the better the charge, and the more accurate and longer the compass functions. But after a while, the needle begins losing its charge and the compass stops working. Then there is a choice, set it aside or charge the needle again. If you're just playing around or doing a science experiment, I guess it doesn't matter much. But if you need a compass to survive, you better whip out the magnet and get to charging that needle before you get lost. And pay attention to when the needle starts losing its charge so that you don't get off course as the charge fades.
There are times when we are like that compass. We determine at the start of the day to keep our minds focused on things above, on loving God and loving others, on service, on doing our earthly tasks but also being aware of our call to do the will of God, etc. And then before we get out of the driveway, we're distracted and we've lost focus. Our relationship with Daddy isn't even on our radar anymore, much less in our thoughts. Or perhaps we've determined to spend a season, such as Lent, specifically and extra focused on relationship with Daddy. But by the time the days are half gone, the drive to go deeper has dwindled and we are just ready to get back to our regular life. Whether the set season was for a week or a month or 40 days, we wonder why we chose such a long period, because we don't seem to be getting much out of it any longer.
We have a daily reprieve from self, from the bondage we have been set free from, and that reprieve is contingent upon the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Today is the day of salvation and the day that we are called to set aside self, take up our cross and follow Jesus. But in order to follow Jesus and not be pulled to one side or the other, we must be attuned to Him. God is our true north. His will, His plan, His love are always to be what guides our thoughts and actions. As long as we stay on course, we will be of maximum service to Him and others and not fall back into the bondage of self. But if the needle of our heart is not charged, then our compass is weak, or doesn't work at all. The waves from the cup being shaken send us spinning off course. The pull of the the things around us begin to have more influence on our needle than the signal from the pole of God's purpose,
This is not when we give up. This is not when we beat ourselves up or call ourselves failures. Like the disciples who couldn't even pray an hour, we feel we failed to finish what we started. But God wants to walk with us, desires to display His love for us and His power on our behalf. He is not waiting to condemn and punish us for not being charged well or long enough, and He doesn't want us to punish ourselves or quit because the charge doesn't last as long as we feel it should. When the charge dwindles is not the time to stop or set anything aside. Rather it is time to pause and charge the needle. Whip out the spiritual magnet of prayer and meditation and charge our heart so that it begins once more seeking out the will of Daddy and contact with Him rather than seeking to please and satisfy self.
You may have to charge that needle up every five minutes to get through a day pointed where He wants us to go, at least at first. But the more we walk in His will, the more sensitive to His pull on our hearts we become. And the more we use that magnet, the stronger it gets and the better we charge. Before you know it, you'll be able to keep charging throughout the day without stopping or being distracted by the duties and responsibilities of the day. We can follow Jesus, but only if we know the direction we need to go, and to keep from getting of course and lost in self, we must stay sensitive to the pull of God on our hearts. Stay charged, not by determination or will, but by frequent contact with the Source of the charge.
Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments, the weekly Unshackled Echo and or listens to the Audio Messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them on social media, commented on the blog or replied to an email subscription. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions and sermons to more people by sharing this? Hitting the share button or forwarding this to a friend will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment