Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 46 (2)

So, in the quiet, hearing God’s voice … a tender correction.  I had recently been at an event with two young ladies, and before we got to the gate, one of them noticed that the venue wouldn’t allow the outside food or drinks (even water) which we had with us.  When we went back to the car to divest ourselves of these restricted items, I made some glib comment about items in our pockets probably not being detected when our handbags were searched.  When we got to the gate, though, not only were our bags searched, but we were asked if we had food or drinks.  I didn’t think about it at the time, but today the Lord was showing me that had we actually been trying to sneak in our snacks (which we really didn’t have any intention on doing), we would have either had to lie or turn over the disallowed items.  So I was convicted to call and apologize for even jokingly suggesting that we try to act in a way that was not in accordance to what was accepted.  After all, 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (AMP) instructs us to:

²² Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.

During the ensuing discussion with one of the young ladies, she mentioned how having items confiscated during her recent travels had taught her to not even try to get around restrictions – to be mindful of what the restrictions were and make every effort to be in compliance with them.  I thought this a valuable lesson to remember in life’s journey as well.

The Daily Guideposts 2013 devotional for today mentions “a story from the life of Francis of Assisi” which seems similar:

 

One evening Francis was sitting before a fire, when a novice drew near to speak with him about acquiring a prayer book.  The novice, knowing how passionately the founder of the Franciscans felt about not owning things, was nevertheless asking for permission to own one.

 

“Then,” Francis said to him, “you will want a fancy Bible too.  And then you will seat yourself in a pulpit like a great priest and beckon to your companions, saying in a proud voice, ‘Bring me my Bible!’”

 

Taking up some cool ashes from the nearby fire, Francis gently smeared a line of ash on the forehead of the novice, saying, “There is your prayer book.”

This makes me think of the progression and conclusion mentioned in James 1:14-18 (AMP):

¹⁴ But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).

¹⁵ Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.

¹⁶ Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

¹⁸ And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].

 

And this makes me think of a song I recently heard Christy Nockels sing, “Already All I Need”.

 … and my journey with Him continues …