As a teacher, fall is the time of year when my schedule begins to spiral out of control. I look at my to-do list and cringe; how can I get all of this done and still maintain some semblance of sanity? The months of September through December will speed past in a flurry of activity at work, at church, and in my home. In the blink of an eye, 2016 will be over.
With so much to be done, it’s easy for my priorities to get out of whack and for urgent and emergent needs to take precedence over the quietly persistent call to refresh my soul in God’s Word.
A few weeks ago, my husband and I found out that we’d been matched to adopt a child. Three days later, I went back to work to begin preparing for the new academic year. I’ve been consumed by a flurry of activity, and my time in Scripture has been (to put it nicely) haphazard as I struggle to fall into the rhythm of being back at work for the next three months.
I wish I had a never-fail, five-step plan for realigning priorities when life is overscheduled chaos, but I don’t. Based on past experience, I know that no amount of determination or “buckling down” will cause my rebellious heart to adore God and treasure His Word above all else.
By nature, sinful humans do not desire the things of God. We were dead in our trespasses and sins, and “by nature children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-3), yet God mercifully redeemed us by the blood of Christ to give us new life:
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ . . .
Ephesians 2:4-5
It is only when believers receive the Holy Spirit that they are capable of desiring God as they should. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit changes our nature and very desires to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:26-29). Still, it’s a process. I am yet being sanctified, and my flesh is at war with the Spirit in me (Galatians 5:17). When I’m feeling overwhelmed and struggle with wrong priorities, what I need the most is more of the Holy Spirit to change my desires. I can’t muster up enough love and adoration on my own. I need to pray for an infusion of Christlikeness so that I will crave life-giving communion with God through His Word. It’s a prayer I know he will answer because Jesus already guaranteed it:
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13
Today, if you’re experiencing a drought of desire for any reason, pray with me:
Merciful Father, I come before you today, humbled by my weakness. I’m so easily distracted by the priorities of this world, most of which have no eternal value. It’s too easy for me to rob myself of your life-giving presence by making time for anything and everything else before I spend time in your Word. Thank you for sending your Son to free me from the prison of the sinful desires of my flesh. Fill me with your Holy Spirit to continue the good work you began in me, reshaping me to be like Christ. Transform my heart to crave your Word, to your glory. Amen.
Respond
Is this a prayer you need today? What scriptures give you encouragement as you wait for God to answer this prayer?
