I was driving down the road a couple weeks ago, headed somewhere. All I can remember is the driving and thinking I did during that 20 minutes. My second year of college had begun, work was stressful, my personal calendar was overwhelming, my quiet time seemed nonexistent and my bedroom hadn't been cleaned in weeks (I'm being honest here). I stared out the window at the road ahead, wondering why I felt different, why I felt guilty, why I felt sad. I couldn't figure it out. I drove a couple more miles, turned the volume up & just listened to the music surround me. And then, it hit me, I felt neglect, not neglected, just neglect. I began to think of everything and everyone I had neglected... my bible study, my bedroom, my parents & brother, my school work, my website/blog {hence the reason it's been months since I last wrote something}, my me-time, and my God. yes, you read correctly. I had neglected God, and thankfully I arrived at my destination - which was Dos Amigos to have lunch with my Grandmother as I now recall - because I felt absolutely nauseous. I sat in the parking lot and began pouring my heart out to God, trying to find the reason why I had put Him on the back burner, and realizing that was the reason everything else seemed off in my life. I quietly sat there, out of breath & out of words, as the music played. That's where the neglect left me: in the Dos Amigos parking lot, out of breath and out of words, feeling sick to my stomach with nowhere but inside to go. The next hour was great yet painful. Lunch was great & the company was greater, but I could not get back to my car fast enough. I needed to finish what I had started. 10 mins later, I was pulling into my driveway after having a hard conversation with God, where He kindly reminded me that neglect was not of Him, in fact, He commands his people not to be negligent in 2 Chronicles 29:11. Hezekiah, began reigning as King of Israel at the age of twenty-five. The Bible says that what he did was "right in the eyes of the Lord". Is there anything more to wish for? Hezekiah had seen his forefather neglect the temple, and bring uncleanliness and unfaithfulness into the lives of the Israelites. He commanded the Levites to consecrate themselves and the temple, restoring it to its proper order, removing all that had made it dirty in the sight of the Lord. He encouraged them with these words: "My sons, do not be negligent and careless now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand in His presence, to attend to His service, and to be His ministers and burn incense" (AMP). And they did exactly as King Hezekiah commanded them. The temple was restored and worship quickly began again. What would have happened in the Levites would have neglected the call to restore the temple and worship? Would they have missed standing in His presence? Could they have missed being part of His service? Could they have missed the opportunity to minister to others? Would they have missed the chance to make a sweet aroma unto the Lord (2 Corinthians 2:15)? This left me broken, sorry and guilty. I had first, and foremost neglected God by not staying in His Word and living it out - Which caused me to neglect my family & friends, my school work, the passion to serve others {in and out of the restaurant}, to neglect my health and need of rest, both physically & spiritually. So tonight, I write this for you, and for me. To remind me of where I've been and where I am now. Back on track - spending quality time with God, loving and listening more to my family and friends, getting a good night's rest, making healthy decisions, and keeping my room [somewhat] clean...come on, I'm trying...haha. Anyways, now that the night has turned to morning and my my heart is not too heavy to share, I hope that this encourages someone, to rise from where your neglect has left you, and pursue watchfulness and respect for God and all that He has done for you, what He is doing in your life now, and what He has in store for He next chapter of your life - standing in His presence, serving Him and others, creating a sweet aroma unto Him. Abby Comments are closed.
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Author20 year-old experiencing the ups & downs of life with the Creator & Sustainer of the World Archives
October 2017
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