Drifting

Have you ever drifted?

Recently, I had a self-inflicted injury. How did this happen? I thought I did not need help lifting that 40-pound pot of soil and then, I twisted while lifting. Ouch!

I could have avoided pain and suffering. However, it was too late for that. I did seek God and pray for healing. Sometimes, answers to prayer show up through the wisdom of the people around me, learned experiences and then, other times just being quiet helps me to realize actions I can take to help myself, like to stop tensing muscles to alleviate some of the pain. I kept believing for my healing and now, just short of two months later I am close to 100%.

When I have no other choice but to be still, I tend to reflect more deeply. What was I doing when my life ran off the tracks? Where is God in all of this? I clearly lost God somewhere along the way. Otherwise, I would have made a better decision. Even still, this incident caused me to seek and draw closer to Him.

How does someone lose God? I liken it to a small child losing their parent in a store, which I am sure we have all witnessed. The child is drifting off in thought and gazing at their desired toy on the shelf in front of them and then, they look up to realize that they are alone or startled when they realize the stranger standing next to them is not their parent.  Fear hits, their eyes get big, they start calling out, "Mom!" or "Dad!" When reunited you might hear their parent's initial exasperated words, such as, "Where were you?! Why did you leave my side?! You could have gotten hurt, kidnapped, or worse!" and then, as they calm, "I'm so glad you are back. I love you."

Let’s go back to my story. I suspect I was tricked into thinking I didn't need help. Maybe I didn’t want to bother others or maybe, I was just being prideful and thought I could do it on my own. In any case, this is how the devil hits us. He prowls about like a roaring lion waiting to see who he can devour. A lion circles his prey and studies it, looking for an opening to attack. If you read John 10:10 you will find three parts to his approach. He is looking to kill, steal or destroy. It is for this reason; we need to be alert. We are in a daily battle. That is why God tells us to put on the armor of God in Ephesians 6. 

Daily life gets so busy, and I may think, I will check-in with God later when I get this last thing done. More than likely, there is no end to that last thing, and I miss my opportunity to meet-up with my Father. Next, before I know it, I have started drifting away from the things that God had shown me to focus on. Painful events like this injury, cause me to realize that I have lost my Father. When I reunite with Him, it is a reunion of remorse where I may be tearfully asking Him to forgive me like that small child would and then, I hear His voice in the quiet of the moment saying, "I'm so glad you are back. I love you."

I have found that trials, tests of faith or patience, bring me back to God and this is where life becomes less difficult, even when I am still suffering from the pain of my actions. Jesus did say, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." However, it is not that we won't go through difficulties, but instead God helps us walk through it with grace, peace and a knowing that it will all be used for the glory of those who are called according to His purposes.

What weakness of yours is an opening for an attack? It is important that we have our armor on and are prayerful about where we are currently seeing weakness in thoughts or actions, for example.

Have you drifted, have you lost God? We can lose God as quickly as a child can lose their parent in a store. Quiet yourself. Call to Him. He will answer. He wants to spend time with you. He wants to help you navigate life's twists and turns, ups and downs. He knows the way. He is The Way.

Scripture references:

1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

 John 10:10 ESV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Matthew 11:30 NIV For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God work for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Proverbs 9:10 AMP The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence] The reverent fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.