What Are You Missing? - Encouragement for Today - August 6, 2015

AUGUST 6, 2015 What Are You Missing? LYSA TERKEURST

"The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." Psalm 14:2 (NIV)

A few summers ago, my son Mark was working at a family camp. While the mountains were breathtaking, the friends were plentiful and the food was every teenager’s dream, he missed home. Not horribly — but just enough to tug on the vulnerable places of his heart.

I knew he needed some sweet comfort from home. So, I packaged up some things he needed and a few items I knew would make him happy and sent my gift of love.

After a few days, I kept wondering when I’d get a text from him with smiles and "Thank you!" and "Wow! You’re the best mom ever!" messages. A girl can dream, right?

But no text message came.

Each day that went by, I grew more and more frustrated by his lack of acknowledgement of my gift. I started to wonder if he’d even received it. So I had Art, my non-emotional husband, call because he could simply ask, "Did you get the package from Mom?"

Our son answered, "Oh yeah, I did get a box from Mom, but I haven’t opened it yet."

Huh?

Who receives a gift of love packaged up and sent to them and doesn’t even take the time to open it?

In that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit prick my soul, "Lysa, sometimes you do this very same thing. Oh, if you only knew the number of experiences God Himself has packaged up and sent your way that you didn’t take time to open …

"Or the number of times God has planted a bunch of wildflowers at the end of your driveway just to make you smile, but in the rush of where you were headed, you didn’t notice …

"Or the number of times God has treasures in His Word waiting for you to uncover that would perfectly prepare you for something you’d be facing that day, if only you’d lingered with Him a little longer."

Today’s key verse, Psalm 14:2, reminds us, "The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God."

I wish this verse were worded differently. I wish this verse read: "The LORD looks down from heaven to see MANY who understand, MANY who seek God." But that’s not the reality of the verse. And sadly, sometimes in the rush of all I feel I must do, it’s not the reality of my life.

I want it to be. But my soul is so prone to distractions.

Seeking — really seeking — is more than just reading a few verses from the Bible in the morning and trying to be a good person that day. Seeking requires me to sacrifice the things I feel compelled to chase so I can be available to notice God’s clear direction.

Whatever we chase, like it or not, gains our full attention.

And I wonder sometimes why I feel a little insecure — a little unsettled — a little disappointed with things I thought would make me so happy. I guess you could say sometimes I get a little homesick.

While I love vacationing here in this world for however many years the Lord will give me, I know where my real home is, and I know Who is waiting for me there.

And now I know He takes time to tie up little care packages from home — a few things I need, a few things I’m supposed to pass on to others, and a few things He knows will simply bring me joy.

Then God waits … to see … if I’ll notice — if I’ll remember … if today will be the day … that I lift up my face … pause in the busyness … and really seek Him.

Dear Lord, forgive me for all the times I’ve rushed by Your gifts and overlooked Your blessings. Today, I want to pause and really seek You with all I’ve got. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
Learn more about un-rushing your schedule so you can experience God with Lysa’s book, The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands. Purchase your copy here.

Slow down this week and join us for a free, 5-day "Unrush Me" Challenge. Each day, you’ll have biblical encouragement sent to your inbox. Sign up now!

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Take time out of your schedule today to look at the gifts from God in your life and thank Him for each one.

© 2015 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org