Prayer and Road Hazards

Lately my prayer partner and I have been beginning our day by praying over our daily needs. I have noticed, however, that the very things for which I pray are the very things that seem attacked throughout the day. It’s almost like I have given Satan a list that reads “Here’s where you need to attack me today-be creative and sneaky so I don’t even recognize it and get me right where you know I will fall for it.”

My main concern recently has been productivity; lately I have had a more intense schedule that I haven’t quite tweaked yet. Inevitably something comes along and jackknifes my plans, throws me for a loop, or gets me off task. I need divine intervention to proceed in my day in the most productive way.

I liken my life to driving down a road where Satan is throwing things in front of my car. Some of them cause me swerve to avoid them, while others make me pull over and take a look at them for awhile. When I am not focused on the goal, looking straight down the road ahead of me, I am easily distracted from my course. Unfortunately, he knows exactly what tantalizing tidbit will throw me off course: a gorgeous day that begs me to go for a hike, a coupon that just shows up out of nowhere announcing a big sale. . .that ends today. . . Even a seemingly “good” distraction, like helping a friend in need, can throw me off if that act of service was not intended for me to do.

In the most severe instances, Satan throws things under my wheels that poke holes in my tires and leave me wasting the day on the side of the road waiting for help.

This morning I was reading 2 Corinthians 4:7-12. Verse 8-9 says “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” From this passage I see that I can expect to be hard pressed with obligations, opportunities and tempting distractions. I can expect to have to make some difficult decisions that perplex me. But in all of this, I have with me a power that will not allow me to be crushed, left in despair or be destroyed. That power comes from keeping my eyes on the prize and keeping focused on the one who has my journey to that prize mapped out.

And in all of this “. . .we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what in unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

The question I need to ask myself and God is this, “Is the profit derived from this distraction more valuable than what has been planned for me this day?” Too often the answer is, “no“. He will help you decide. . .if you remember to take the time to ask. Stick close to Him, not as one riding with blinders on, but a one open to hear His directions over those that bombard you daily to turn away from the plan He has for you.

Nothing else TO do

I never thought the reason for writing is that I have nothing ELSE to do. Having gotten two feet of snow Friday to Saturday and having a few more inches dumped atop of that Tuesday to Wednesday we have seemingly been trapped inside the house. Now don't get me wrong, we have gotten out, but the whold air about it has been less than encouraging. Perhaps it's that the kids have been off of school all week. . .did I mention all week.

Last week the phrase God gave me was "battle for it". He said it in so many ways "are you battling?", "You are going to have to fight for this", and "What you are doing is important and hence opposed-so you know that it is not going to come easy". On one hand, yes, I was happy for a word. On the other hand, however, THIS WORD?

The word has come to fruition. I had planned to get serious about writing (again) and make it an unchangable part of my schedule. If I had to change it, like was already happening for an endocrine appointment for my mom and a biopsy for myself, I would have to reschedule it just like any other appointment. I started on the weekend by attempting to back up my data files on a disc and my photos on a brand new portable hard drive. Neither of these worked. Yes, I used the snow days to try to be productive, yes it ended up being another waste of time.

Tuesday I had Joe run virus software. It was an all day project. By Wednesday, my computer wouldn't even turn on. I am not furious, dejected, deflated or anything similar. Hmmmm, what's that all about? I have peace about it. I had hard copies of the data and he was able to copy the photos. But what is this peace? Where is this nagging feeling coming from that wants to say, "Now you can't do anything". Sometimes, I admit, I don't get it. Is God saying "Rest and enjoy this beautiful time?" I don't think so. Actually, right now I am so bored I want to write--of course I will be doing it with a pen and paper.

And this is how I recognize the attack, the battle. Decide you are going to get on a schedule and write-the enemy counters with a week of school cancellations. Take time out to back up your documents-counter, you don't even have that computer where everything was saved anymore. Make a fire and try to read for awhile-the neighbor boy shows up for a live cowboy and indians show in the same room. Blow off the fire and go to whip off a quick blog enroute to closing yourself in your quiet bedroom with pen and paper-it's instantly silent downstairs. . .the boys are upstairs. Is this peace or just the emotion that oozes out from "you can't get anywhere, why even try?" This is the battle.

All I can gain from this is that what I am doing must be important-or the enemy wouldn't waste so much effort trying to stop me. Unfortunately, this doesn't put the fire under me that it should. What is the missing link to that fire?

The boys are back downstairs and it is quiet--I better run!