We can all find ourselves stressed out about something. I find it is often the most minor, insignificant things which cause me the most stress. I am on guard for the big problems. They come and they go. It is the everyday stressors that seems to get me. They are eating away without us even noticing. At the end of the day, they are the things we cannot believe we let get to us. They cause us to lose our peace and they nibble away at our joy.
Why do we let this happen? We don’t do it on purpose. We don’t seek out issues (at least most of us don’t). We don’t want to have things which stress us out. We try and eliminate those things – and then find more. I think a major issue is we lose focus. What are we doing this all for? Why are we working so hard? Why are we spending our moments doing the things which can cause us this stress? What is it that drives us? We must have a base, a foundation for which all things are built. We need a reason why we started. We need to find out where it all starts and keep focusing on that – whatever ‘that’ is for you and me.
Today’s focus scripture is a treasured one for me. I hold this one close. It speaks to the life I want to live. It directs my paths, when I pay attention. I want to make life about so much more – but the prophet Micah, with a directive from God, brings it back. He reminds me of the base. He reminds me of the foundation. He directs me back to the place of why I should be doing what I am doing. He helps me to see where it all starts – and it does all start somewhere. To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God – those directives seem so simple. They flow together so well. But they are so difficult to keep as the focus. So many things are vying for our attention. Our stressors are calling us away from this path. We are being directed in so many different ways. But where does it all start? To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God – seems like a great place to start. Maybe we start here – today.
Focus Scripture:
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 