Today I’m honored to have Edie Melson as a guest for our Parting Word From The WORD. It’s a lesson I needed to hear, and I think some of you might need it as well. Thank you for joining us, Edie.
Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.
Entangled or Established?
By Edie Melson
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
I tend to be just a bit ADD when it comes to life. (I’m like the dog in the movie UP…”Squirrel!”) The problem with me isn’t just purely distraction. Instead it stems from several things, not the least of which is the fact that I enjoy doing a lot of things.
I love to write, read, hang out with friends, knit, craft—the list goes on and on and on.
But the fact that I love so many things has often led me astray. I’m easily distracted and confused.
In the past I’ve gotten off-track because I’d mistaken doing something well with being called to do something.
To keep myself out of trouble and focused on what God has called me to do I’ve had to learn to walk closely with Him.
I’ve had to make certain my relationship with God is established, lest I risk getting entangled in something He hasn’t called me to do.
I’ve learned that the evil one loves nothing better than catching me unaware and entangling me in his worldly priorities.
This has proved the case for my spiritual life—whether or not a agree to do something at church or in ministry. It’s been true with my friends and family—I have to guard those relationships that God has given me as a priority. And it’s especially been important in my writing life—I’ve had to learn to say no to the good to make sure I have time for the best.
I’ve learned that the evil one loves nothing better than catching me unaware and entangling me in his worldly priorities.
The phrase that I have taped to the top of my desk is this:
Just because I can doesn’t mean I should.
How about you? Am I the only one who’s easily distracted? What do you do to stay established and avoid becoming entangled?
