When my children were young, I would try to get them occupied with a project while I went to the other end of the house to make beds, gather laundry or any number of things. I would be out of their sight just a few minutes, only to come back and find one on top of the table playing with breakable decorations; and, the second one in the next room coloring on the walls.
Yes, sometimes the writing on the wall only means the children have found the crayons!
“ I can’t leave you two alone for five minutes without you getting into trouble.”
Then returning the child who looks like a “new table decoration” back to the ground to play, and taking the 409, and paper towels, we all engaged in removing the crayon mural from the living room wall.
“Out of sight, out of mind”, goes the old expression. Mom leaves the room and so do all of the rules!
God tells us that we are ever before him – that he has written our name on the palm of His hand. (Isaiah 49:16)
He never forgets us. We are never out of His sight.
Sometimes we forget that He is near. It may seem like he has left us. Then our own desires come lifting their ugly heads, wanting to make life for the flesh easier. Wanting to find ways to color outside the lines, and play with the things that are off limit.
The children of Egypt lost sight of their true God while Moses was out of sight on the mountain. They took all of their beautiful jewelry, casting it into the fire and made a gold calf – declared it to be the god who brought them out of Egypt. (Exodus 34)
“When we lose sight of God, we tend to lose our mind!”
There are times in my life when God seems so far away. That is usually the time I eat too much, or spend too much on retail therapy; and, pull away from reading my Bible and prayer. I begin to color outside the lines, trying to find the satisfaction that only comes when I feel connected to God.
That is when the Discipline of Faith must come in. The Discipline of Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
The Discipline of Faith, knows that, without faith we cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6)
The Discipline of Faith, says, “Though a thousand fall at my left and ten thousand at my right, it will not touch me.” (Psalms 91:7)
The Discipline of Faith, says, “ If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15)
Do you practice a Discipline of Faith when God seems to be in the next room? What does that look like in your life?
Linking today with, Getting Down with Jesus, To Love, Honor and Vacuum, and Word Filled Wednesdays
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Gosh, Di – It’s so easy to get distracted when God seems distant! One thing I try to remember is that even when I don’t sense Him, He’s still there. And my actions/attitudes still matter, even moreso!
Amen! OUr actions still matter!
I like this…. Discipline of faith! Good idea that challenges me. When I started writing, The Lord told me to walk by faith. And I still am!! Even though I haven’t gotten published yet. Wonder what He is doing on the other room as I write?
I love how you used the analogy, Barb. You are such a dear! I’m thankful for you!