As I was going over my scripture for my Iron Man's group (I meet with them via telephone onWednesdays) I feel blessed by some fresh insights on my verse. Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life."
Is it more difficult for me to be faithful to this admonition these past several weeks of being alone, or when I'm in the midst of my life there in Indianola, IA?
My first thought was that being alone without any structured accountability would be more difficult. I've rethought this and have come to just the opposite conclusion. Being alone feels different and calls for a different response to life. I have been more "vigilant" here than when I'm at home. Why is that? I thought about that word "vigilance" and, for some reason, always read it as diligence. I believe there is a big difference. I'm diligent about important things but I'm vigilant about vital, essential things. I can be diligently reading the Word but not vigilant in applying it to my life. Vigilance implies being watchful because of something very important.
The command is to "keep your heart with all vigilence". I have a responsibility to protect my own heart. I knew this coming here and have been vigilant in doing so because I realize I am in a different setting. I came here to be quiet and listen. That's what I've done (for the most part). The Enemy has not been able to get at me precisely because I have been vigilant in keeping my heart.
So, my prayer and petition to God is to help me understand this in the very midst of busyness. Being alone with God is a practice that Jesus maintained in His busy, demanding, draining life while He was here. He got up early and went to a place of solitude to pray and Jesus had no sin issues.
Solitude, prayer and vigilance in the midst of crowded, distracted diligent ministry. That's what is necessary. That's how I can "keep [my] heart with all vigilance. What do I need to rearrange in my life to assure my vigilance?
John I think you have rearranged and now all that is left is to apply it to your daytime quiet time.
ReplyDeleteI pray for you and your family. My all your family 's travels be safe ones.
May the Lord bless your family's. Thanksgiving.
Sheila and I miss you and GRISELLE.
Dave
Thank you Dave and Sheila. We are starting to look forward to returning home now. Thanks for keeping up with us.
ReplyDeleteJust read this post. Although I’m years late in responding, God’s timing is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I needed to hear.