Consumed

Daily Gratitude Year 5- Day 117: Today, I am grateful we can choose what consumes us.

Today we have a short little lesson from Eve.The image is from Lysa Terkheurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries and her book "Made to Crave". 

What will consume us today? What will we seek avidly engrossed? What will be the main thing on this one day?

Eve had it all available to her. Not one thing did she lack, but Satan whispered, "There is more, and you deserve it all." He is a liar, but we are so easily distracted and consumed. 

We are told many times through The Word to "focus", so we are not consumed by things that are less than what he has for us. I think of so many of the images of the rich and famous on the newsstand and gossip magazines who "have it all" but seem so lost and broken. 

I have heard people say that they don't want to have to "give up" some things to follow Jesus. The chains of the things that are cherished by the world are so heavy. There is freedom in surrender and  peace at the cross. Say "Yes" to the best and see if there is anything better. 

My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. -Psalm 119:20

This sounds crazy, right? Longing for your laws? Who loves rules, anyway. Wait, first borns you need to raise your hands.  Many oldest children, too. God doesn't give us his laws to burden us but to free us. Many of the Old Testament laws saved lives. They were good health choices. All of God's laws help us know him better and love others more. These are not bad things to keep in focus. 

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.-Malachi 3:6

This is a comfort verse for me. In this ever changing world... He is my constant. His laws are in nature and in His Word for us to seek him, think about him and chase after his heart. 

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.-Galatians 5:15

This is a warning verse. My friend Julie had a senior citizen mentor who once said, "Oh Julie, Satan does some of his best work in churches." We can so easily become so consumed with one thing that we lose sight of our great commission. We obsess over carpets, music and which translation is best that we lose sight of what is really important. Remember the main thing is still the main thing..."Love me.Love your neighbors (all of them)."

Eve obsessed over the wrong thing - and it cost her... and all of us. She let her spirit of pride and dissatisfaction impacted her relationships. She became consumed with the wrong things and that act of defiance came at a high price. Free will. A gift.. but it comes with great responsibility.  

So... today is exactly one month from our oldest son's wedding day. Many of our thoughts are consumed by the wedding as we wait, look at lists, double check RSVP's and all the things that go along with a special life event. We are so excited for them and for the time with other loved ones in celebration. 

Free will takes them to the alter where they will be joined. Marriage is a holy sacred covenant, that should not be entered lightly. They have had 26 years to prepare. Both families have been covering them in prayer since the day these children were born. 

I loved the God billboards that used to pop up in random places. I miss them. One of my favorites was:
 "I loved the wedding. Invite me to the marriage." - God

Weddings can be crazy and stressful, but the are a memory in a minute. A marriage is a lifetime commitment to an imperfect person. To keep the focus on what is important and good is key. God is the Gorilla glue. 

Today, I am grateful we can choose what consumes us.