May 18, 2010

Living Simply— Yet Focused

Look at the birds of the air . . . . Consider the lilies of the field . . . —Matthew 6:26, 28
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin”— they simply are! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon— all of these simply are as well— yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf! So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38 ). We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually— just as “the lilies of the field.”
The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “the lilies of the field”— simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.
If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.

3 comments:

  1. I think My Utmost for His Highest is one of the best devotionals a believer can read! Thank you so much, Tamara, for your gracious comment on my blog. You have a precious family!!! Enjoy the home educating journey...all too soon, it will be over completely. My youngest will be a senior in high school this year! We home schooled all four of ours, all the way! (Ya gotta be a little crazy to do that - ACK!)

    Blessings...

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  2. Thank you for the comment! God has used My Utmost for His Highest more times in our journey than you would probably believe. I didn't know you were homeschoolers, too. Yes we have homeschooled off and on with all 4 of ours since they were little. Wouldn't have it any other way.

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  3. Hi Tamara...you commented on my blog today and so, I wanted to come check yours out :)
    I like it ALOT and will be reading more. You seem to have a beautiful family and I look forward to getting to know you better through sharing our walks with our Savior....

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