What stirs you?
When you have time to think, what types of things are you thinking about?
Obviously, in your different seasons of life you have varying pursuits and interests, but what are the themes that keep coming up–themes that you find yourself spending money on, taking time off work to do, and thinking about when your not doing it?
Take a second to read this prayer taken from A Diary of Private Prayer…
O ETERNAL God, though Thou art not such as I can see with my eyes or touch with my hands, yet grant me this day a clear conviction of Thy reality and power. Let me not go forth to my work believing only in the world of sense and time, but give me grace to understand that the world I cannot see or touch is the most real world of all. My life today will be lived in time, but eternal issues will be concerned in it. The needs of my body will be urgent, but it is for the needs of my soul that I must care most. My business will be with things material, but behind them let me be aware of things spiritual. Let me keep steadily in mind that the things that matter are not money or possessions, not houses or lands, not bodily comfort or bodily pleasure; but truth and honor and meekness and helpfulness and a pure love of Thyself. For the power Thou hast given me to lay hold of things unseen: For the strong sense I have that this is not my home: For my restless heart which nothing finite can satisfy: I give Thee thanks, O God. For the invasion of my soul by Thy Holy Spirit: For all human love and goodness that speak to me of Thee: For the fullness of Thy glory outpoured in Jesus Christ: I give Thee thanks, O God. I, a pilgrim of eternity, stand before Thee, O eternal One. Let me not seek to deaden or destroy the desire for Thee that disturbs my heart. Let me rather yield myself to its constraint and go where it leads me. Make me wise to see all things today under the form of eternity, and make me brave to face all the changes in my may which such a vision may entail: through the grace of Christ my Savior. Amen. (Baillie, John (2010-11-30). A Diary of Private Prayer (Kindle Locations 385-388). Touchstone. Kindle Edition.)
God interrupted the hum-drum of humanity with the purpose of creating a new mankind. The marks of such persons are no doubt humility, honor, and hunger for God, His people, and His Word. But, what of our hearts? Are they satisfied with the seen? O, that we would be a people restless for the things of God. O, that we would be like those who are provoked to “lay hold of You,” and for the conversion and discipleship of Your people. O God, stir us to the things eternal…one day we will see You…soon and very soon.
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12
Keep climbing, pilgrim, keep climbing. We’ll reach the summit soon…soon and very soon.
— January 13, 2017