I didn’t realize how long it had been since I added to my blog. Let me explain in two simple words. We moved. It took a month to get everything packed up and now another month to get everything in it’s place here at our new home. We are finally to the point where we can take time to enjoy our new place and do something besides work. Now, I’m not immune to hard work. I’ve hauled hay, built fence, put in retaining walls… but those jobs are hard for one or two days and then finished. Moving is like the chore that never ends.
After about 4 days in the new house, we had all the boxes emptied and the surface was starting to look normal. As it approached supper time, I opened the fridge and quickly realized any sense of normalcy was surface only. We had worked to eat down as much food as we could before we moved, and then during the move we had been eating out for over a week. It was time for that to stop, but all we had to work with was a gallon of milk I had grabbed at Walgreens and the few items that did not get purged when packing the fridge where I threw away all expired food. Unfortunately, the pantry looked the same. It was time to make a major grocery run.
The thing is, I had done the same with my spiritual storehouse. During the move not only had I neglected to purchase any food, I had been neglecting my time in the Word as well. I don’t get it. Scott is so faithful. Rain or shine, work or play, he gets up and spends time listening to the word and time in prayer. Yet, I am so easily distracted. I can always find something that needs to be done when I get ready to sit down with my Bible.
In John 6, we first read of Jesus feeding the 5,000. That is a story we all know from our childhood, but let’s take a look at what happened the next day. When morning came, the people began to look for Jesus. They were of course confused because the only boat missing was the boat the disciples used to leave in for Capernaum. They didn’t realize Jesus didn’t need a boat because he walked across the sea. Anyway the crowd took off in boats “seeking Jesus.” When they found him, they even asked how he got there. Jesus quickly changed the subject and took this opportunity to teach the crowd. He scolded them for following Him only for the physical bread he had provided, and offered they should follow him for the everlasting life He offers instead.
I am guilty. I often put our physical needs and comforts in front of my spiritual needs. I seek to keep the house picked up more than I seek to spend time investing in my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Any book you read on relationships will emphasis the importance of spending time together.
I often tease my sister, mother of 4, that if the world is coming to an end, I want to bunker down at her house because she always has enough food on hand to feed an army. I can remember when Jace was in high school. I had to always be prepared to fix a meal for whatever group of friends showed up. I had to keep the fridge and pantry stocked.
Shouldn’t we be the same spiritually? We never know what life event might happen that will require a us to tap into our spiritual warehouse. The question is, will yours be full or empty?
Coming next week – Running on empty
View From My Shoes 