Looking at my office desk both depresses me and excites me. Four piles of folders, letters, legal pads, notes, prayer concerns, research, and various projects consume nearly all the surface area. Sorting through it all would probably take an hour or two, time I don’t seem to find readily available these days. So there it all sits, hoping to one day get categorized and filed away for future use. The exciting part relates to all the projects we have going on at the church.
I don’t like to be cluttered. But truth be known, I seem to live with a state of cluttered mess these days. Sure, I could give several reasons for such a mess such as I’m adjusting to the birth of our third child, the dissertation work consumed much of my time, or the loss of Pluto as a planet has me in a cavernous stupor. One never really gets over such a demotion you know.
The reality of the clutter really is that I have not taken the time to clear off the desk. I’ve heard it said, “A cluttered desk is the sign of genius mind.” I prescribe more to the philosophy that “A cluttered desk is the sign of just that, a cluttered desk.” Excuses aside, the responsibility remains mine and I have to step up to it.
Clutter tends to get in our way of doing business doesn’t it? Sometimes, the clutter keeps us from accomplishing the tasks required of us. Things get lost and important meetings get overlooked because they’re buried beneath a pile of “I’ll get around to it.” But just desiring for change or the removal of the clutter will never make it go away. Believe me I’ve tried the power of positive thinking several times, but the clutter remains.
I wonder, if God had a desk would it be as cluttered? Think about it, his life is so busy taking care of the entire universe. When does he find time to read through all the prayer mail or tend to all the major and minor crises taking place each and every day? Does he sit with a trash can nearby to toss all the unsolicited advertisements without glancing at them, or does he inspect each page looking at the latest car deals, clothing fashions, and retail promotions?
I would hate to think that our concerns get buried in pile of cosmic requests never to be considered until it’s time for a good desk clearing. Instead, the Bible affirms the idea that God hears the prayers of his people each and every time they are thought or spoken. His character gives our requests the greatest and utmost attention; they don’t get lost in the heavenly abyss.
God never has to give an excuse for not being there or not responding to the needs in our lives. When Lazarus died, his sister questions Jesus by saying, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” To which Jesus does not respond with an excuse, but give witness to the power of God. No, “I got tied up in traffic,” or “the yard needed to be mowed first,.” Jesus dealt with the situation at the appropriate time and in the way God required – through faith and action.
Do our lives look for ways out and reasons to dismiss non-action? I challenge you to let no excuse come between you and God. Sure there are lots of things to get done and sometimes only a short while in which to do them, but they should never get in the way between your devotion and attendance to God on the one day he desire for you to worship him with his people. As it has been said before, “When you make the main thing the main thing, everything else will come into place.” When you keep this attitude, you even find time to clear a cluttered desk.
I look forward to seeing you at the main thing place on Sundays,
Travis
