NOW

Scripture – Therefore, dear brothers whom God has set apart for himself—you who are chosen for heaven—I want you to think now about this Jesus who is God’s Messenger and the High Priest of our faith. Hebrews 3:1

Thoughts about what scripture means – Because of Jesus, I am set apart for God chosen for Heaven. My thoughts are on Jesus, God’s messenger and the High Priest of my faith.

Application to my life – It’s been a rough evening with the last part of my day being taken up by work that continued even after I returned home. I was met at the door with my grandkids, one who was whiny and one who was rowdy and wanting what she wanted. I also realized that I overbooked my weekend as I have a meeting after church and then training for a nonprofit organization to sit in on. So I was feeling overwhelmed, overbooked, and underappreciated. Exhausted, I still woke up three times since 11 p.m. I am wide awake in bed. I get up to journal and the yawning starts.

From the scripture what sticks out is NOW, think about Jesus NOW. Think about Him as God’s Messenger. What is Jesus trying to speak to me now? Slow down? Get your focus back on me? Listen to me?

When was the last time I truly heard from God? When was the last time I really paused to listen even after talking to Him? I focus on the clicking loudly of the clock, second by second. Then the Time magazine posted above my head as I sit at my husband’s desk, thinking how I will miss my time with him tomorrow because of other commitments.

But what about my time with God? Do I really feel just as bad about missing out on it? I’ve missed three dates with Him this week. I notice, but do I really think about it? I know it impacts my life. Do I feel bad for standing Him up? How can I hear Him if He has no time with me?

I’ve been so focused on goals and service that I’ve missed out on the main goal of connecting with the One I serve. Quickly I forget messages preached when not kept at the forefront, when I’m not living them out in the moment, in the now. The scripture says think about Him as High Priest of my faith.

My mind goes to what is my faith?

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. Hebrews 11:1

Jesus is the High Priest, giving the sacrifice of His life, bringing the gifts, and interceding to the Father for what I’m standing in faith for. The three biggest things I’ve been standing on is 1) for my family to know God, love Him and live for Him and 2) this region that I live that the spirits of greed, selfishness, pride, lust, perversion, poverty would be cast down and that God’s spirit would be loose in this region, state, nation and world. 3) that at the church would rise up and be the hands of feet of Christ.

Jesus is NOW wanting to be the High Priest. The High Priest only had the sacrifices that were brought by the people. Although Jesus is the High Priest and offered the sacrifice that ended the need for other sacrifices, He won’t force His offering on me. If I don’t think on Him and give Him the time that He deserves, that is on me. Now is the time for me to refocus on Him. Now is the time to obediently do what He has called me to do. Now is the time to pray and seek Him.

Response back to God – Lord, forgive me for allowing other things to keep me from my time with You. I repent and turn my attention to You. I have allowed my attention to be divided. Although I thought I was doing right narrowing my activities, I have just refilled up my calendar with other things. Show me what things are necessary and good to fulfill what You have placed inside of me, to stand up and serve for your kingdom. Help me to keep my focus where it belongs – on You first. This week You will be my NOW. Let me hear from You. Let me want wait on You. Let me keep my focus on You regardless of the activities that come my way in the places You have sent me. In Jesus name Amen.