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My joy is to remain with God. However, I stray easily. Distractions capture my gaze. The wandering follows.
It’s the start of a new week, and I spent a little time calendaring, which is never a peaceful process. As I looked at the next couple of months, my chest tightened, and my breathing became shallow. Otherwise known as the state of overwhelmness (yes, that’s a made up word).
That was a clue to close the calendar, take a deep breath, and step outside. As I sat on the porch, I noticed the breeze blowing, the trees swaying, the leaves dancing; the Lord whispered, “I am here.”
A long exhale.
I opened the Scriptures and landed on Psalm 73. Asaph, too, let what he saw around him distort his perspective. His gaze had wandered. And I wondered: What has captured my gaze?
My calendar, apparently.
Despite my wayward ways,
“…I still belong to you; you hold me by my right hand.” (Verse 23, The Passion Translation)
I listen quietly to the breeze whispering, the warm summer air rolling through the woods.
“You lead me with your secret wisdom. And following you brings me into your brightness and glory!” (Verse 24, TPT)
Have the earthly distractions skewed my perspective?
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Verse 25, ESV)
Has my gaze shifted away from You? Most certainly. Being overwhelmed begins when my eyes wander from the One who holds all things and holds me.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Verse 26, ESV)
When my gaze wanders from the Lord, peace evaporates, and I find myself carrying what I was never meant to carry alone.
So I pause this day to remember: God is with me. He is nearer than I can imagine, and His love for me is greater than I can comprehend.
I close my eyes, hand Him my calendar, and tell Him once again: I am Yours, and You are mine.
“As for me, my happiness is to be near God, and I have made the Lord God my refuge; I will proclaim all your works.” (Verse 28, New Catholic Bible)
And once again, my joy returns as I remain with God.
