Good Things or God Things?

I was sitting on my deck last night, late into the evening, enjoying this unbelievably warm weather.  It was the perfect night to have some time with God.  So as I'm sitting there I realized that God was really so close--I knew that He was speaking words of comfort to me and it was so good. 

I realized just how much I need to be in the presence of God and to hear His voice, especially when life gets crazy busy.  That's what it's like for me right now--busy, busy, busy.  With this rattling around in my head God asks me: "So are you doing good things or God things?"

It was one of those moments where you kind of sit up and take notice.  I pondered what He said to me and realized that I need to be careful not to simply do things and justify them only on the basis of whether they are good or not, but to be more mindful to do the things that God wants to be done then.  God wants His children to do good things for sure, but He also cares enough about us that He wants us to do the proper amount and in the right timing.

He was offering me a place of rest by speaking to me right in the middle of all the busy circumstances.  He really does care!

Titus 2:11-14 says this: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

So we are to say "no" to ungodliness and be eager to do what is good.  Saying "no" to ungodliness means that we reject making decisions to do things on our own--even if they are good things!  Being eager to do what is good includes taking the time to ask God for help and direction--"should I do this Father?"  "Is this something that you want to be done?"

Jesus wants us to be close to Him.  Let's take the time to relax on our deck and just be in His presence so that He can teach us how to live well--so that we can be about God Things.

Many blessings on you today.

BT