September 15, 2011
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Prioritizing God and Overcoming Disorder
Since getting married a month ago life has been all over the place. In the past few weeks we’ve been in Jamaica for a week, America for a few days, my old apartment for a few days, and then moved into our new place with nearly no furniture outside of my sofa and twin bed mattress (for two weeks I was sleeping on the floor, not the way you want to start your marriage but there was nothing we could do about it because of the move and the bed delivery time). Furnishing the place has taken a lot of time, and this past week her mom stayed with us for 5 days and we also had our Korea wedding celebration. We still have books everywhere (bookshelf finally came today!) and other boxes to take care of. Needless to say, the past month (aside from Jamaica) there has been a lot of disorder. And the disorder has affected us physically, mentally, and even spiritually. With everything in the house so disorganized and with there so much to do, I’ve found it very hard to pray. I’ve actually found myself only being able to really connect with the Lord one-on-one when I have been driving, because at least my car is clean and there aren’t any distractions in it.
I have to confess that even though I’m a pastor at my church and a missionary serving in the orphanage ministry, I have struggled to keep consistent with the Lord this past month. I’ve known that God gives grace and I have needed it and held on to it through this month, but more and more I’ve been reminded that regardless of how much grace God will show, it just isn’t healthy to not prioritize the Lord and do whatever possible to keep consistent with Him no matter how much is happening. The less we are with the Lord the more things get muddled up. Quality of life, and particularly quality of rest, gradually decrease.
Psalm 119:130 (NKJV) – The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
That verse sums it up well. God’s word is so refreshing. And worshiping Him and listening to His voice brings such light. What was muddled becomes clear again. And it’s interesting how what once seemed like so much to do suddenly is able to get done more quickly and better than expected when we put the Lord first.
Blessings!
