Distraction of Demands

God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, sends them in the right direction. He gives the rejects his hand and leads them step-by-step. Psalm 25:8 & 9 MSG

The end of summer is nearing and, although the weather is still beautiful and inviting, fall commitments and routines are beginning to dominate my days. I don’t know about you, but obligations associated with church, community organizations, school and sports all seem to crowd their way on my calendar long before the Labor Day BBQs are over. It’s amazing how quickly all the squares on the calendar fill with times, places, meetings, appointments and errands. I suppose this is why summer is referred to as that lazy, hazy season with time to relax, read and rest. But once summer is over, vacations become memories and the demands on my time become overwhelming.

I vow every year to seek balance in the fall schedule. I try to prioritize where to put my energies and time. This begins with good intentions, but by the time the holiday season rolls around I find I have been sucked into the current of everyone else’s expectations. When this happens, I find myself exhausted, impatient and empty. Why do I allow this to happen? Who am I trying to please by allowing all these demands and expectations to rule my time? Do I measure my worth by the number of activities to which I am committed? Am I the only one who goes through this internal dilemma?

The world is full of many events, activities and commitments that are worthy of my time. It is also full of other expectations and demands that can sweep me up into a momentum that is difficult to stop. If I don’t have a focus or a sense of my priorities, I will constantly find myself in the whirlwind of demands. This is where my faith comes into the picture. Romans 13:11-12, from the Message, is a great reminder to me that I need to connect to Christ daily:

“Make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing!”

Verse 14 says “Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!”

If I focus daily on Christ, then my worth is defined by my relationship with Him and He helps to define and direct me away from unnecessary demands. Psalm 25:8 & 9 “God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, sends them in the right direction. He gives the rejects his hand, and leads them step-by-step.” To hear His voice and receive His guidance, I need to spend time with Him daily and take the smallest of concerns and demands to Him so I can take His hand and let Him lead me.

Thank you Lord, that You care about the smallest details of my day. Thank you that You do not want me to become so distracted by unnecessary demands that it not only causes me stress but causes distress in my relationships. Help me to prioritize my time, to meet you every day, lay the moments of my day in Your hands and let you lead me so that your purpose prevails. Amen

NOTE from PEG

When I began sharing these devotions in July 2013, I committed to publish one per week. I pray that they have been a source of support and encouragement to you this past year. After writing this devotion, I have realized that I need to make a change. The Lord continues to give me “D” words to share so I am planning to continue these devotions. However there are some weeks that this commitment becomes one of those distracting demands. Thus to achieve a bit more balance in my life, going forward I am committing to at least two per month. I always value your feedback, encouragement and prayers. If you have thoughts, please feel free to share them with me. Thank you for your constant support during this past year. I look forward to more time together!