Distractions

I don’t know yet when I shall be moving house, but a friend kindly offered to take down my bookshelves – some of which he kindly put up once upon a time! So now there are lots of books to be packed into boxes. A simple task? In one way it is. After all, books don’t need to be carefully wrapped up like china, and they aren’t particularly awkwardly shaped. But on the other hand, it’s like meeting old friends who can’t just be ignored… Isn’t it easy to be sidetracked, and distracted from the things which ultimately matter?

May the Lord Jesus, who did always those things which pleased His Father, help us by His Holy Spirit to walk worthy of Him day by day.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:8,9)

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says that he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6)

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,

In every part with praise,

That my whole being may proclaim

Thy being and Thy ways.

Not for the lip of praise alone,

Nor e’en the praising heart,

I ask, but for a life made up

Of praise in every part:

Praise in the common things of life,

Its goings out and in;

Praise in each duty and each deed,

However small and mean.

Fill every part of me with praise;

Let all my being speak

Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord,

Poor though I be and weak.

So shalt Thou, Lord, from me, e’en me,

Receive the glory due;

And so shall I begin on earth

The song for ever new.

So shall no part of day or night

From sacredness be free;

But all my life, in every step,

Be fellowship with Thee.

Horatius Bonar