Consumed!

For some of you school has already begun while for others you are still enjoying the last few days of summer vacation. What consumed your thinking and time during the summer break? Perhaps you enjoyed the break from a rigid schedule and the opportunity to do what you wanted to do when you wanted to do it. With the beginning of school there are once again many things to consume the mind and the time whether it be what is really desired or not. With the beginning of the school schedule the mind may become consumed with A LONGING for leisure time again. Perhaps you enjoyed reading what you really wanted to read rather than having to focus on what you would be tested on. However, isn't there A LONGING that should always be a part of our life because of the reality there is an accounting of life with which we will be faced?

Every time I read through Psalm 119, I seem to be captivated by verses that may not have struck me before. Recently reading through this chapter again I was struck by the following.
"MY SOUL IS CONSUMED WITH LONGING FOR YOUR RULES AT ALL TIMES." ( Psalm 119:20 ESV)

To be consumed is to have the mind or attention completely drawn to something. Perhaps that consuming focus could be described as a craving, hungering, or thirsting after. There is much in this world that begs for our attention. However, what is the consuming focus for our daily life? Are we truly consumed by a LONGING FOR GOD'S WILL "at all times"? To possess such A LONGING deep within -- as the psalmist expressed -- would be to have a desire to always be pleasing to God. Not now and then, but "at all times"! Not when it is convenient or does not mess with our own plans, but always! Let it consume the longing when preparing for school, heading out for extracurricular activities, going on a date, getting together with friends, etc.

Knowing that all the commands of God are good and have our ultimate best in mind, keeping them continually in mind will help bring life's actions and choices into compliance with them. May our lives be continually marked by being "consumed with LONGING" for the Will of God to be the will of our life. Let that be the longing we continually feed so that we will be blessed with the spiritual health God desires for us to possess.

Have a great day WITH PLEASING GOD OUR CONSUMING DESIRE!
Carl

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