I had been there before. The winding road that leads to the property was familiar, or so I thought. Infact, so familiar that I never considered asking for directions. I just jumped in the car and set out for my destination. No GPS, no written instructions, no address. Just me and my memory.
As I headed out towards the freeway, merging with the other sea of cars, I was confident that I was on track and would be at the women’s group I was speaking at right on time. But, before I knew it, things looked strangely unfamiliar and I soon realized that I had missed the offramp and the next one was a few cities away. Oh no! How did this happen? Lord, you know I need to get to this group on time. What’s up with this? Well with the same familiar heart stirring I have heard many times before… I clearly heard, You were not paying attention. You may remember the way and know where you are going but if you are not paying attention you will get lost every time.
This is true in life. We can know where we are headed but we will get lost every time if we are not paying attention to God’s heart, God’s voice and God’s word in the moment.
Being I had planned to speak on focus that night, I knew that God was not only confirming the direction of the message but expanding it, right there in the moment. My heart began to leap in excitement as I recalled how easy it is to lose my way when I lose my focus. I was just driving along, mind on many things, paying no attention to that very moment. I do this often.
And, then it hit me…in life, I get lost and off track when I am not paying attention. I might know the road that I need to travel, maybe even taking that route before, but if I am not paying attention, not staying in the moment, I will go out of my way, sometimes miles out of my way, and end up frustrated, wondering what went wrong and scrambling to make up for lost time.
This holds true in every area. I may know the verses to recite and sometimes even remember their address, but if I am not paying attention, I will still lose my way and not walk out the truths…in the moment. Paying attention is active listening, active watching, actively living in a moment by moment surrendered life. Looking for God’s lead, listening for his voice,moving to the sacred heartbeat as I make my way through an ordinary day. I would admit that a quick fix solution might seem easier. Can’t I just take one spiritual vitamin a day and be good to go? Yep that sounds easier. But in life it’s the small steps all along the journey that count and make a difference. There are no quick fixes, but instead there is a call to a focused life that not only brings us peace but keeps us on track and going the right direction.
“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” Deuteronomy 5:32
I have to pay attention if I am to walk in the way the Lord is commanding me for that day, that season, that hour.
Dear friends, let’s dare ourselves to PAY ATTENTION to God’s promptings, God’s Word, God’s heart…today, in the moment. All of our moments make up our life and we will not get as lost along the way if we will just learn the discipline or habit of paying attention.
Abba, what are you saying? Lord, what is your way in this situation? Father, what is a Word of Scripture that I can hold on to right now. Holy Spirit, make all things of God real and alive in my life as I choose moment by moment surrender to you.
living up!
Debbie
This is so spot on. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, especially since my aunt passed last week. I was with her when she went and the reality of the need to live and choose and love with intentionality really hit me between the eyes.
Once again, you’ve written an incredible piece. You amaze me with your depth.
I am being richly blessed by the sharing of your own personal pain & brokenness in trying to help us hurting woman out here who have endured our own personal sufferings. It gives me hope to stay the course & remain focused on God, whatever the circumstance or trial may be. To stay alert, pay attention & keep my eyes on him at all times daily. God will continue his work in me and keep me on the path as I walk this journey on earth. Many blessings to you as you share your wisdom & encouragement in what God has done in your life to help strengthen us in our own walk with the Lord!