But as soon as I leave you, the Spirit of the LORD will carry you away to who knows where. When Ahab comes and cannot find you, he will kill me. Yet I have been a true servant of the LORD all my life. (I Kings 18:12)
I spent a significant amount of time in airports this past week. Have you ever people-watched while you were waiting for your life to take off? There are some very interesting characters in airports . . . including whiners. One man whined so loud that airport security escorted him away from our gate. He took whining to a whole new level. He was unhappy with his seat assignment. Seriously . . . are you kidding me?
The thing is . . . those of us in the Western world . . . are spoiled. We act as if we are owed something . . . when in fact we need to be grateful for the air we breathe . . . for the gift of life . . . for the resources we have been given to use. We need to get a grip on what is important in life and stop whining!
Actually, whining has occurred since the beginning of time. I Kings 18 recorded the story of Obadiah whining. He failed to see his life-giving opportunity. God had positioned him to be in the right place at the right time; however, Obadiah could not see anything but himself. When it all comes down to it . . . a whiner fails to see the presence of God . . . and what is really important in life.
In the letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote:
From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. (1:20-21, NLT)
Focusing on God produces clarity of what is important on life. When we take our focus off God . . . separating our mind from His presence . . . our mind will become dark and confused.
How do we focus on God in the midst of the challenges of life? Look at Romans 1 again. Paul says the people did not worship or give thanks.
Breathe.
Get a grip on what is important today.
Refuse to whine.
Take time to be aware of the presence of God.
Look around you and see what God has created.
Give thanks.
Worship.
Learning with you to be focused on God,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
