Posted on July 14, 2024 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
THE JOURNEY
Jesus Wants Our Attention
by Shelly Huston
As a musician’s daughter, a vocalist, and someone who simply appreciates harmony in every way, I can usually tell when something is, well, off. And I can also greatly appreciate the small adjustments made to bring it back into tune. Like an instrument, can your heart be out of tune? Let’s consider the following.
Can you serve others, listen to the teachings of Jesus, stay in tune with the Holy Spirit, and serve one another in love? Definitely! Can you serve others, listen to the teachings of Jesus, and be completely off the mark, even to the point of stirring up conflict in the community. Absolutely!
Like Martha, every now and then, I find my inner turmoil getting in between me and my Heavenly Father’s best-laid plans. I can get so caught up in the event’s details that I might miss what He intended me to see. For example, today, I was just struck by the fear that if I were there when the stone was rolled away, I’d be folding his graveclothes instead of running to find him. My prayer, ‘Father, I refuse to allow discord, distress, and inner turmoil to separate me from you and your best intentions for my life. Tune my heart once more and help it perfectly harmonize with yours.’
Sagan asked us what Jesus wants from us in worship. The answer was our attention. Jesus, inner turmoil has taken enough of our attention away from you. It’s brought us out of alignment and caused us to be out of tune with you. Help us tune our hearts, God; we turn our attention back to you, like Mary; we desire to worship at your feet once more and listen.
It’s only 5.8 miles from home to work, but it can take forever to get there. Construction, lane changes, bad drivers, squirrels—these ‘distractions’ can cause delays, distress, and maybe a bit of angst on my part.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
What distracts you from God’s best intentions for you? What can you do differently when you become distressed this week? Are you dealing with inner turmoil right now that is getting between you and God? If so, what is he asking you to do about it? While you are listening to worship or in prayer today, what are the distractors, the little things getting in the way of your time with Jesus? What steps can you take to decrease those interruptions/distractions?
David sings of God’s victories and miracles; time and time again, God conquers the enemies of his people. However, in this chapter, God’s people are persecuted. David reminds God that it was only by his power that deliverance could come again. He cries out, “Rise up, help us, save us through your unfailing love.”
David gave excessive praise for the many things God had done for not just him but for his people. Are the heavens flooded with excessive praise from you? Do you easily recall the many things God has done for you and your family? Do you frequently remind God, yourself, the air, and the enemy of the time God rescued you, your children, your father, your career, your reputation, and your hope? Are there areas in your life where it can only be by the hand of God that a victory can be seen?
When you are in the heat of battle or have been wounded in one, it can be much more difficult to practice gentleness. You might be tempted to worry, become irritable, or be insensitive to those around you. Being present and aware of those around you can be one of the greatest sacrificial gifts you can share when you are in emotional distress. God, help me bring this area of my life back in tune. Help me lay down my life for my friends. Help me practice gentleness and be a living sacrifice to those around me. Perhaps this is an area in your life where you need a tune-up. Whose needs is Jesus asking you to put before your own? Whose life could you be more present in? What is Jesus asking you to do differently? This week, who is Jesus asking you to practice ‘gentleness’ toward?
In Matthew, we learn that effective communication with the father isn’t full of empty, overly religious words meant for the ‘crowd’ to hear. Effective prayers are often quiet and heard only by the father. This prayer helps us take note of the condition of our hearts. It is only after I’ve forgiven, can I be forgiven and be restored. How can you change your prayer life this week? Are there ways to develop a healthier ‘heart condition’ going forward?
We were made to praise, to offer thanksgiving for his protection and provision. Are you carrying a burden that seems too great to bear alone? Has weariness seeped in, to the point of pure exhaustion, mentally, physically, or perhaps both? Can you give grace to others but find it difficult to spare any for yourself? Are there areas of brokenness you must let him repair and make whole?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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