Daily devotion – A life out of control.
When Life Gets Out of Control
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” — Psalm 25:5 (KJV)
Is it just me, or has the pace of life started to accelerate, even though we are still 74 days away from Christmas? Or is life itself moving at an ever-increasing pace as we live in these Last Days, awaiting the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fulfilment of the events foretold in the book of Revelation?
Growing up with stables in our backyard and a number of high-spirited horses (a polite way of saying skittish!), I remember times when some would fight against the reins, break free from control, and charge off in a blind panic.
Sometimes, our lives resemble those horses. We lose our grip on the reins and find ourselves careering downhill with no brakes! But how does it happen?
It rarely happens overnight. Little by little, we become complacent in the spiritual disciplines essential to walking faithfully with our Lord. Daily Bible reading is neglected. Prayer becomes rushed or disappears altogether. Church attendance falls away because we are simply too busy. Before long, we may still carry the label Christian, but our daily lives no longer reflect the reality of walking closely with Christ.
So, how do we get back on track?
First, we must honestly recognise where our present direction is taking us. If we continue unchecked, someone will eventually be hurt. Our spiritual decline will affect not only ourselves but also those around us.
Second, we must repent. We need to acknowledge before Almighty God that we have neglected the One who loved us and suffered and died for us at Calvary. We must stop making excuses and return to Him with humble, repentant hearts.
Third, it is time to take the pruning shears to our schedules! Remove those unnecessary distractions and activities that have become parasites in our walk with God. Make time for Him—not merely when it is convenient, but as a priority. Write appointments with God into your diary. Establish a regular time to read His Word, meditate upon its truth, and spend time in prayer.
Fourth, take your place among God’s people. Make gathering for worship and fellowship a priority, protecting that commitment from the endless demands competing for your time. We need the encouragement, accountability, and ministry of the body of Christ.
Finally, get involved in serving! God has not called us merely to sit, listen, and receive. He has called us to serve one another and to be instruments of His grace and blessing within His Church.
As we bring our priorities back under the Lord’s direction, we begin to regain spiritual stability, peace, and joy. The circumstances of life may still be demanding, but we no longer need to live in a constant state of panic.
The choice is ours: we can continue racing through life, neglecting the Lord, or we can stop, repent, and allow Him to lead us once again. Ignore His promptings, and we may eventually discover that the joy we once knew has been replaced by regret.
The answer is not to run faster, but to walk closer to Jesus!
As we await our Lord’s return, let us not become so consumed by the busyness of life that we neglect the very One who gives us life. Slow down, open your Bible, seek His face, gather with His people, and serve Him faithfully.
Let the Lord take hold of the reins!
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” — Psalm 25:5 (KJV)