David Brenneman
"I say this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord." 1 Corinthians 7:35 NASB.
In one regard Paul speaks toward marriage and being single. In another look deeper. We add and subtract relationships with people and things in this life to consume our time.
We often have to work. This consumes time. Either with an employer or at home work has to happen. In Genesis Adam is told that by the sweat of his brow he would work for his food and needs.
We enter into relationships to fulfill a need. Paul was encouraging those who are single to stay that way. But the larger lesson I think is in this verse. Undistracted devotion to the Lord.
We crave something to do with our minds. In all honesty idleness bugs most people. If this weren't entirely true we wouldn't be reading in the Bible of needing to learn contentment.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 NASB "But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Contentment is often elusive.
We are in a society that in ever increasing amounts tells us over and over again that we aren't content. We must have this or that. We must do this or that. We must believe this or that...or we simply are never going to be content.
Undistracted devotion. This fits in perfectly with the story of Mary and Martha. The lesson of letting go of the pressures of the world and sitting at the feet of Jesus.
We often see in movies of the throne rooms of ancient kings people with nothing better to do than just be there in the King's court to hear and watch what he had to say.
In Heaven people who have gone on before are in THE King's court. Listening to what He has to say. Being comforted, watching others being comforted. Hearing questions being asked and answered by King Jesus.
King David wrote of this in Psalm 84:10 NASB "For a day in Your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than live in the tents of wickedness."Psalm 23 he referred to dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.
People in those times of King's were seeking to hear and see some wisdom come from the King. In Solomon's time even Sheba said his servant's were blessed by getting to hear what came from his mouth. Undistracted devotion.
What steps are you taking towards undistracted devotion to Jesus? Is your devotion divided? Are you giving your attention to other things in your time after you do what needs done to things that aren't to do with growing in Christ Jesus? This too hits home with me. I have a multitasking mind. Contentment can come from honestly checking out mentally to work on problems in my head. Some read books to check out of reality. Some plop in a couch or recliner to binge watch movies or television or videos. Some spend gobs of money on sporting events. Some get consumed with diet fads or exercise programs. We look to justify our distraction! We convince ourselves that we deserve these distractions and have indeed earned them. We can go as far as to justify all the time spent in not focusing on our walk with Jesus in saying we are doing it to better walk with Jesus.
Promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion.
Setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. Above being where the King's court is. Above being where our King is.
Above being where what's important for eternity is. The here and now will pass. Be it good, bad or ugly, this too shall pass.
As Mark Lowery aptly said "Having a good season? It will pass. Having a bad season? It will pass."
"Woke up this morning with the years I've spent
Hanging heavy on my mind.At times I seeSo much in meI wish I'd left behind.But the one thing I've learnedAs the years have turned,And they sure have traveled fast.I don't have to stay where I am today becauseThis too shall pass.
This too shall pass.This too shall pass.And the tears that fall like raindrops nowWill finally dry at last.This too shall past.
Sometimes I'm laughing with a crowd of friends,And still I feel alone.There's a place insideFull of tears I hideThat I've only cried alone.But I know that He's near,And I know He hears,And I know these tears won't last.This pain todayWill be swept away becauseThis too shall pass.
This too shall pass.This too shall pass.And the tears that fall like raindrops nowWill finally dry at last.This too shall pass."
Putting our focus where it needs to be in our being a Disciple of Christ Jesus is where it ought to be. Undistracted devotion. Jesus said this in taking up your own cross and following Him. Your focus is on that cross. You can't hold anything else but that cross because it takes all that is in you to do so.
Secure undistracted devotion. Secure.
To make safe. Is your walk with Jesus safe? Is it secure? Are you pursuing God as wholeheartedly as we read King David doing so?
Things to think about...
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