It’s early morning, not long after first light. Outside is muted white with fog. Seated on the sofa, I cup my hands around a mug of hot coffee to warm them in the damp, chilly air. Everywhere I look in the room, I’m aware of God’s blessings, provision, and care. Everything I have is and was, ultimately, in one way or another, provided by Him and is maintained by Him.
I also see what’s needed. It isn’t that it’s horrendous by any stretch, but each room, closet, cabinet, and corner in my residence needs attention: Some purging, some reorganizing, some spring cleaning. Attention in some measure. I asked myself, If Messiah Jesus showed up to visit with me, would I wish I’d done a better job of honoring God, my Provider, by the care I give to all He’s provided and provides?
Of course, this extends beyond my living area.
- It includes the body He gave me and to which He still provides breath and heartbeat. Are there things I know I could do better health and well-being-wise but don’t?
- How about how involved I make certain He is in my daily life, or do I mostly “allow” Him some bit of time with me when it’s convenient?
- What about relationships with people in my life? If Jesus asked me about them, what would my answer be?
- How about how I fellowship with other believers?
- How about how I interact with non-believers?
- How am I doing regarding how I thank, honor, and glorify Him for all He’s given me and continues to provide (starting with salvation and ongoing sanctification), despite my making a multitude of really, really, really bad choices before He got hold of me? And, yes, I still stumble and will, until He conforms me fully to the image of Messiah Jesus.
I am very clear that nothing I do or ever could do can provide my salvation or sanctification. Accepting Messiah Jesus’ completed work on the cross and Resurrection is the only way I am saved. And only Holy Spirit sanctifies one who is saved and cleansed by the precious Blood Jesus Christ shed to purchase those who will receive what He and the Father did for them.
But I’ve not been looking after things in a way that honors Him as fully as He deserves. I’m not talking about being obsessive-compulsive about working-working-working for perfection, but about doing a better job of appreciating God’s blessings and gifts, and treating all of them better than I have been. I truly believe that the state of a person’s living space, inside and outside, if both apply, is a reflection of their personal state of being. Like most people, some areas of mine are in better order than others; some obviously need attention.
It’s going to take a while to get everything done, but nothing will get done if I don’t start. Even 5 minutes a day is 5 minutes closer to the desired outcome. It’s 5 minutes more of thanking and honoring Him than if I don’t do it. I’m going to work through this in “museum order,” which is counterclockwise, which for some reason, humans respond better to than clockwise. It’s also a way to focus on one area at a time: Do whatever is needed until the desired outcome is achieved. Then move to the next area: Repeat until completed. I’m not aiming for perfection, I’m aiming to honor God. I’ve had too many intervals where I’ve wasted time, when I could have been more productive, in action or in prayer.
If I don’t honor Almighty God and His blessings in these ways, will I truly be willing to honor him outside of self and home? I know my strength, stamina, and capabilities. He knows them even better. And He’s clear that I can ask for His help and His Holy Spirit will provide it, including guidance, e.g., “Holy Spirit, should I keep this, trash it, give it to someone specific, or donate it?” And I can also ask Him to help me pray for others, as well as thank and worship Almighty God, while I work.
This is not about busywork or striving to please God through my actions. If I go about this with anything else in my heart other than honoring Him through true thanksgiving, I’ll be forcing it. Forced = Faked. And that is No Gift you want to attempt to give to Almighty God: He won’t receive it.
- A. Torrey wrote in The Person and The Work of The Holy Spirit, “The Holy Spirit is not a blind, impersonal influence or power that comes into our lives to illuminate, sanctify and empower them. No, He is immeasurably more than that, He is a holy Person who comes to dwell in our hearts, One who sees clearly every act we perform, every word we speak, every thought we entertain, even the most fleeting fancy that is allowed to pass through our minds; and if there is anything in act, or word or deed that is impure, unholy, unkind, selfish, mean, petty or untrue, this infinitely holy One is deeply grieved by it. I know of no thought that will help one more than this to lead a holy life and to walk softly in the presence of the holy One.”
Albert Einstein said, “Nothing happens until something moves.” The Adversary delights in getting us into spiritual inertia – or any inertia that keeps us from getting closer to Almighty God. I deal with a measure of physical and other inertia, and is something to recognize and address – not just once – every day. Remember, however: If you happen to be one who is bedridden or physically limited or restricted in any way, you can still thank and praise Almighty God. You can still honor him through becoming a prayer warrior. You can still honor Him with praise and thanksgiving.
Mother of Jamie Walden, Lisa Walden, posted this on her FB page 02/06/26
“Friday Prayer Blog – Dear one, People age differently. Nevertheless, they age! The sweet strength of youth gives way to the bitter weakness of old age. However, one thing about our bodies can remain unchanged. Let’s consider that one thing today. Our bodies are remarkable. Thank God for them! He created them for a purpose. A purpose that the Apostle Paul understood… “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20
“Beloved, our bodies were created as vehicles for honoring God. No matter what stage of life you are in, your body can honor Him! Even in death. It takes courage to honor God with your body. Especially as it breaks down. Ask the Lord to give you full courage to use your hands, feet, eyes, mouth, ears, and mind to honor Him today. Why? Because He used His to honor you. Hallelujah!”
Lisa
In closing, I offer this comment and prayer from Corrie ten Boom, from her book, God Is My Hiding Place:
“So often we say we are willing to do what God asks, but when push comes to shove, we reason away the inconvenience. When we do this, we not only miss out on a great blessing but may rob someone of theirs. Following Jesus isn’t necessarily easy, but it is always worth it. One day we will stand in heaven, see the fruit of our obedience and have crowns to lay at His feet. May we always be quick to obey, despite not understanding all of the details.
“Prayer: Father, my heart is often willing, but my flesh usually fights for comfort, and my mind argues for understanding. I’m sorry for the times I have catered to my laziness and focused on the inconvenience more than the joy of serving You. I don’t need to understand the how’s and why’s or all of the explicit details, I simply need to follow Your leading. Like Jesus, I must follow what You’ve placed in my heart to do.”
FOR ANY FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST BRAVE ENOUGH TO DO SERIOUS SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR THE DAYS WE’RE IN:
- GIVE ME YOUR SPIRIT, OR GIVE ME DEATH! AND
- THIS ONE ABOUT FEAR AND WHAT DRIVES US: How the Enemy Uses Fear to Neutralize Believers with Jamie Walden | Ep 88 AND
- THIS ONE ABOUT JOY IN THE LORD: BODY SLAMMED! STRENGTH FOR THE DAYS AHEAD
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