May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19
I was so excited this year to put some new pictures on my WOW ministry website and start writing fresh devotions. I pulled out my laptop and to my horror, it turned on, but I could not access any of my files. The screen flashed all these messages that I didn’t understand. I had heard of computers crashing and was fearful this was – now – happening to me! I sought out help to restore my computer and was asked “When did you last defrag your computer”?
“Defrag”? This was a foreign term to me. “What’s that?” was my response.
It was then I learned that the process of defragmentation reorganizes all computer files and partial files by combining similar ones and throwing out the duplicates to clear space on the hard drive. People defrag their computer files to help it avoid crashing and the results is a computer that runs more efficiently. At first I was fearful of defragging my computer files. Would I lose anything important? Would the new organization be too confusing for me? I was assured that the integrity of all necessary files would not be compromised and that I would be pleasantly surprised with the final outcome. It amazed me, for in a matter of minutes, I watched my computer reorganize and delete the excessive files. When it finished, I was pleasantly surprised to have a computer that ran as smoothly as it did when it was new. Thankfully, all my files were intact and easy to find.
Defragmentation? Is that what I do at the beginning of each year when I am inspired to organize and simplify my environment? Am I defragging my surroundings by finding a place for everything, putting common items together and throwing out the unnecessary objects? I love going out and buying those pretty baskets to consolidate items, and create a space of order out of clutter. However, throwing out things is not easy for me and sometimes there is fear that I may need one of those items in the future. Just as defragmentation increased the efficiency of my computer, I find that organizing my environment decreases my stress and actually increases my energy, making me more efficient. Of course, my closet organization process took much longer than the few minutes my computer defragmentation required.
Then I thought about my spiritual life. What type of thoughts and feelings fill my mind, slowing me down and making me less productive in my faith and witness? What if I tried to defrag those things? Things like discouragement, discontent, unforgiveness, anger and doubt? It surely isn’t as easy as pushing a few buttons on the computer. And there isn’t a store with pretty containers to reorganize those thoughts and feelings. But I do have a God to teach me His ways and give me an undivided heart. Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Instead of pushing a few buttons or spending a day throwing out and reorganizing clutter this takes spending time with my Lord, seeking Him daily. He meets me every day to help me sort out the unproductive and negative thoughts, tossing them out and replacing them with His love and acceptance, for He has created me in His image.
Dear Lord, I know you must be dismayed when you see me trying to wade through life carrying burdens of the past and present by myself. Help me, Lord, to identify those things that take up space, weigh me down and keep me from experiencing your Spirit and hearing your voice. I long to experience the freedom that You alone offer. I want to begin with one area this year Lord. Today I name it “____________” and I place it in Your Hands. Teach me your ways and help me rely on your faithfulness so that I can serve you with an undivided heart. Amen
Peg’s WOW website is http://www.pegarnold.org
Devotions for the Distracted Heart 