When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”
Luke 14:15 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, how many times throughout the day, when You are convicting me of “stinking thinking” do I try to change the subject, focus on better things, or try to deflect to something else? Like that person at the table, when You are challenging me about how I need to change not just my actions but how I think, I come up with a whole lot of “at leasts”:
- At least I’m giving faithfully to my church
- At least I’m trying to serve others
- At least I’m praying and reading my Bible
- At least I’m doing this
- Or at least I’m doing that
all the time missing what You are trying to teach me concerning what it means to truly love You, serve You, and live for You. When I pull back the layers and look at my heart of hearts, how often do I find that I am actually putting me first instead of You, following my tailor made agenda instead of Yours, and not actually walking into the invitations that You are presenting to me, but instead providing excuses why I can’t right now?
Today, I put to the side all of my excuses, all of my reasons and rationales for not being fully, totally and completely sold out. I put to the side my competing priorities, my selfish ambitions, my overwhelming desire for creature comforts, and intentionally take up my cross to follow You, not just now but daily. Show me all of the distractions that get in my way. I am tired of going through the motions. I want to experience You afresh and new, everyday, beginning today!
Breathe on me, Lord! I put the excuses to the side. All I desire today is to sit in Your presence. Satisfy this, my deepest and most desperate longing. Closer to thee…