Being the youngest kid, there was always this feeling like I needed to fight to make my voice heard. Not because my parents were neglectful or didn’t care about my opinion, but because I felt like I was always at a disadvantage for being small and younger.
In the same way I was always fighting for my voice to be heard, so to do everything in our lives, fight for our attention, time, and ultimately our worship. And life is staggeringly loud, constantly pushing down and silencing the voices in us that should be crying out to be with Jesus. Our responsibilities, needs, and desires are competing for that spot Jesus should be in. But what if we lived as desperate for being with Jesus as we were to satisfy the other voices in our life?
Luke 18:35-43
“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him, “What do you want me to do for you?“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
I imagine it’s a lot easier to live desperately to be with Jesus when you need something as uncomfortable to live without like eyesight. But if we aren’t seeking time with Jesus, then we aren’t living with his eyesight as we go through our day, which should make us just as uncomfortable.
There should be something in us that pushes aside the noise that is demanding us to give it our attention and seek that space and time with Jesus. That as the voices get louder and tell our souls to “Be Quiet” and just keep pushing, that at some point we don’t care because we know what our soul needs. Look at these devotionals as a chance to fight back against those voices and those needs.
Even if it’s just a few moments each day, it can be enough. The point isn’t the routine, the repetition, or fulfilling a task. The point is living with the desperation to be with Jesus and have him renew our mind.
SOAP Scripture: Romans 12:2
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
