This is sooo true for me! What about you guys?
April 7, 2005
"One Foot In"
Van Walton
Director of Spanish Ministries, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will
hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (NKJV)
Devotion:
As I walked the beach one chilly day in late winter, my mind
wandered to the birds that spent their lives by the ocean's side. Particularly I
noticed the gulls standing and shivering in the puddles dotted here and
there. To me it seemed obvious that the water was very cold. Isn't that
why the feathered hunters stood on only one leg? Having two feet in the
water would have increased their discomfort. But they persisted in standing
in the cold water on one foot. They wanted their comfort and what little
morsels the tiny pools of water had to offer. Why didn't they just take one
step aside and stand firmly on solid and comfortable ground? They could
still hunt and peck in the luscious pools.
Those gulls wanted to be as close to the tiny crabs, clams, and
sea morsels as they could be, so they insisted on standing in the middle of
the puddles. But doing so caused them great discomfort so they only allowed
one little foot to be chilled while they warmed the other deep in the folds
of their feathers. Really! How relaxing could that stance be? I wanted to
go up to each little bird and plant it, with both feet, on dry, solid ground.
But how could I be dictating their life when I so often justify how I stand
- one foot in the pool of life while looking to justify placing the other
foot in God's will?
Too often I want to live in the world and, at the same time,
stand on God's grace. I am drawn to what the world has to offer, but I also want
God's unconditional love, His pardon for my sins, His eternal blessings
and peace that come from walking with Him.
On the days I stand with one foot in the world, I spend more time
in front of the television than I should. The news I watch depresses me.
Programs I click through agitate me. Show hosts attempt to mislead me.
In disgust, I click off. I bring in the mail and leaf through the many
catalogs that point out all my short-comings . The living room would be more
elegant and fashionable with more throw pillows and new window treatments. The
dining room could use a bit of life. My neglected back yard could use a
few more flowers, exotic ones at that. The boys need more educational
games. I would love a diamond bracelet . The gorgeous models on those slick
pages, dressed in the latest, expensive fashions, certainly do not bring
contentment to my day, either! After five catalogs and a lost hour, I
toss them away when I feel my self-esteem begin to plummet.
Other days, I place both feet in God's will. I pour over my Bible
study, amazed at God's ways and what I am learning about my heavenly
Father. I spend time in prayer, comforted by His Spirit. I encourage a neighbor
and teach parenting at the Pregnancy Care Center, surrounded by
eager-to-learn young mothers. I make sure my house is a peaceful respite for my family
when they pour in at the end of the day.
Watching the gulls I thought, "You silly birds! Find a place
where you can stand confidently and comfortably on both feet." Holding that
thought I realized, "You silly girl! Don't move from that solid place where you
can safely and surely plant both feet."
My prayer for today:
Gracious Father, I am sure you stand in heaven and watch me as I
tiptoe around in the world, looking to place myself here where I see
pretty things and there where I experience warm fuzzies. Forgive me for
forgetting that there is only one place for my feet. My hope, my desires, and my
longings belong firmly centered in Your Son. Jesus is all I need. He is
my solid comfort, Who gives me all I need. Keep me on the solid Rock. In
Jesus name, a-men.
"One Foot In"
Van Walton
Director of Spanish Ministries, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will
hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (NKJV)
Devotion:
As I walked the beach one chilly day in late winter, my mind
wandered to the birds that spent their lives by the ocean's side. Particularly I
noticed the gulls standing and shivering in the puddles dotted here and
there. To me it seemed obvious that the water was very cold. Isn't that
why the feathered hunters stood on only one leg? Having two feet in the
water would have increased their discomfort. But they persisted in standing
in the cold water on one foot. They wanted their comfort and what little
morsels the tiny pools of water had to offer. Why didn't they just take one
step aside and stand firmly on solid and comfortable ground? They could
still hunt and peck in the luscious pools.
Those gulls wanted to be as close to the tiny crabs, clams, and
sea morsels as they could be, so they insisted on standing in the middle of
the puddles. But doing so caused them great discomfort so they only allowed
one little foot to be chilled while they warmed the other deep in the folds
of their feathers. Really! How relaxing could that stance be? I wanted to
go up to each little bird and plant it, with both feet, on dry, solid ground.
But how could I be dictating their life when I so often justify how I stand
- one foot in the pool of life while looking to justify placing the other
foot in God's will?
Too often I want to live in the world and, at the same time,
stand on God's grace. I am drawn to what the world has to offer, but I also want
God's unconditional love, His pardon for my sins, His eternal blessings
and peace that come from walking with Him.
On the days I stand with one foot in the world, I spend more time
in front of the television than I should. The news I watch depresses me.
Programs I click through agitate me. Show hosts attempt to mislead me.
In disgust, I click off. I bring in the mail and leaf through the many
catalogs that point out all my short-comings . The living room would be more
elegant and fashionable with more throw pillows and new window treatments. The
dining room could use a bit of life. My neglected back yard could use a
few more flowers, exotic ones at that. The boys need more educational
games. I would love a diamond bracelet . The gorgeous models on those slick
pages, dressed in the latest, expensive fashions, certainly do not bring
contentment to my day, either! After five catalogs and a lost hour, I
toss them away when I feel my self-esteem begin to plummet.
Other days, I place both feet in God's will. I pour over my Bible
study, amazed at God's ways and what I am learning about my heavenly
Father. I spend time in prayer, comforted by His Spirit. I encourage a neighbor
and teach parenting at the Pregnancy Care Center, surrounded by
eager-to-learn young mothers. I make sure my house is a peaceful respite for my family
when they pour in at the end of the day.
Watching the gulls I thought, "You silly birds! Find a place
where you can stand confidently and comfortably on both feet." Holding that
thought I realized, "You silly girl! Don't move from that solid place where you
can safely and surely plant both feet."
My prayer for today:
Gracious Father, I am sure you stand in heaven and watch me as I
tiptoe around in the world, looking to place myself here where I see
pretty things and there where I experience warm fuzzies. Forgive me for
forgetting that there is only one place for my feet. My hope, my desires, and my
longings belong firmly centered in Your Son. Jesus is all I need. He is
my solid comfort, Who gives me all I need. Keep me on the solid Rock. In
Jesus name, a-men.