I recently saw a blog title that really spoke to me – “Being Busy is Slowly Destroying Your Focus….” The blog writer Abirami Ganesan went on to speak about the science behind it.
For me, it was a recognition of the truth in the statement I needed to explore further. I had just been through my devotional by Henry Blackaby asking if there were times when God seems far away and it feels as if prayers are going unheard. Frankly put, my situation was that the “crazy busy” of my life was drowning out even considering, much less examining, my relationship with the Lord in the midst of it.
Yes, I was dutifully doing my morning devotional. But as soon as the activity of the day started rolling, with interruptions coming in right and left, and urgent but unexpected demands on my attention and for my response….I was in full speed ahead mode. And not happily – irritated at interruptions, impatient with time-consuming requirements, not ever getting to the activity I really wanted to do, and complaining about the difficulty or frustrating tech, complicated instructions – WHATEVER!
Then Blackaby’s scripture from that morning devotional came back to haunt me. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people.” James 4:8
Of course, Blackaby reminded me of a major truth – God is unchanging, His character stays absolutely holy and His faithfulness remains constant.
So, who moved?
Ooops – me. I moved into the spinning world of my lengthy and urgent “to-do” list – and not happily or with any consideration of what my attitude was or how I was impacted by that list or the items on it. In fact, there was no thought in my mind linking what was on the list or how I would handle it with what God might have in mind as the purpose of my daily activity.
It was quite sobering to look at that verse calling me a “sinner” and a “double-minded” person. What? And Why ? And honestly, what did it have to do with washing hands?
The wording of Blackaby that really brought me up short was saying “if you have been actively engaged in sin, you must renounce it.” I dismiss being in sin fairly quickly until I read the reminder that Jesus warned us that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). And where was I spending my time, energy, and focus?
On worldly engagement with a worldly attitude of let’s get this done so I can feel productive and get “attaboys” and meet some productivity standard that was hiding in the back of my ego. Did I look at the daily work I had in front of me with even a thought of what the Lord might be about in that activity? Nope, guilty. Did I ask why I was losing patience and sighing and complaining with some of the activity? Nope, guilty again. Where was my focus as I moved forward on my list? Yep, guilty of missing the Lord in that one, too.
So I went back to the verse as Blackaby explained drawing near to God requires me to take two actions.
First. I must cleanse my hands (Isaiah 1:15 also addresses this – “When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.”) Wow, that is strong language. I need to examine if I have offended or hurt anyone by my actions – clean hands implies being guiltless. If so, I must make it right. It strikes me that I have ignored or dismissed the Lord’s will if I have seen all the “busy” of my day as a punishing chore rather than an opportunity to work out whatever it is in a way that glorifies the Lord. What a difference that makes.
And that links up with the second action – I must make certain my attitude, thoughts and motives are right in God’s eyes. Not the world’s eyes or standards. Instead, what is God about in my life by offering me the opportunities found on that daily “to-do” list. Do I even evaluate and execute them in light of seeking God’s will in each action? Nope, again. I have to ask myself what it would look like if my attitude, thoughts and motives were in harmony with God’s word, with His will as I walked through the day’s activities.
Here’s the good news. As we realize our need to be closer to Him and begin to return, He meets us, even as the father hurried to greet his prodigal son in Luke 15:20. I love that picture and thought. And I know that the prodigal son had to come to realization of how he lost focus and strayed into worldly thinking and behavior and return “home” to his father. I realize I need to get my focus back on my Father’s home base and keep it there through my day.
I think back to growing up days when the universal “wash up” call was heard from the kitchen. That meant go wash and clean your hands and you will get to sit down and have a meal with the family.
I realize every bit of my day, especially my “work” day and activities need to be placed in the light of partaking of that much desired family meal. I need to do what is necessary to “wash up” and purify my heart, and draw near to God as I work through my daily activities, especially the hard and challenging ones. Casting each one in the light of asking if my attitude and motives are in sync with the Lord’s will be the most beneficial focus I could have.
OK, my work is cut out for me – how about you? Let’s “wash up” on a regular basis – the Lord will be sitting at the table waiting for us!
