The heart is so easily distracted by earthly matters...

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded, For with blessing is His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth, Our full homage to demand.
Fernando Ortega

I have so many thoughts swirling in my mind this week, actually for several weeks now. There have been some interesting bumps in my road lately as well as the anticipated holiday season and what might as well be called wedding season, even though it's not June! One small thing that I have thought about much in the past few days is how quick my heart is drawn to earthly matters. I spend time talking about what dress I should wear to an upcoming event, and then wonder whether I have matching shoes or jewelry. I go into other people's homes and often begin wishing I had a home like theirs, that I had space to entertain, or could buy some nice decorative items to spruce up what I do have. I love projects and I love to do things for other people, but sometimes even these things can become a distraction from the only thing that really matters, and that is knowing Christ more and more. This next thought seems a bit disjointed, but it's all part of the ongoing progression of my thoughts these days. I was watching a few minutes of the movie "Troy" this afternoon, and I always get so inspired by Prince Hector and how he defends his city, even when his brother acts like a cowardly fool crawling to his feet begging for his help. The King is there telling the younger brother to fight, you can almost hear him in the background, calling out, "Come on, be a man!" I am so moved by Hector's eagerness to protect and guard and defend his bride, his father's kingdom and all those in it. I know this movie has no spiritual bearing whatsoever, but I was suddenly overcome with the thought that this is how my Savior is for me. As an unmarried woman, I often long to be protected or provided for in some way, wishing someone were quick to defend me, and eager to protect me. I don't fear often, but when I do from time to time, it's easy to think how nice it would be if someone were there to be looking out for me. But then I was reminded, as I was watching some silly movie, that Christ is all that for me. When I hear a strange noise, when I am in the dark, when I am feeling alone, when I am worried about how I will make it alone as I get older, I remember that Christ is my all in all. I may not have an earthly husband and I may not have a beautiful home that is filled with spacious and creatively decorated rooms. But I have Christ living within me. I have the power of the Spirit dwelling within, equipping me for every good work. Is there really anything else that matters? And in recognizing such things, how could I want for more? When I do, I am saying to God that He has somehow not given me enough or that what He has given me is not the right thing. How ridiculous and selfish for me to be so busy thinking I must have a new dress every time there is a wedding to attend, or to think that I have to get the best things to make my room all coordinated. What are my clothes and belongings for anyway? They were all given to me by a gracious God to be used for the advancement of His kingdom. He clothes me, feeds me, and provides shelter for me so that I can open my arms to others in generosity, so that I can minister to those in my path. I am merely His slave, a servant who should always be ready to do His bidding. May I forsake the ways of this world and cling to His fellowship tightly.

John MacArthur says, "Those who are consumed with their own needs and comfort rarely accomplish much. Many noble servants of God have suffered much to reach the spiritual goals of Christlikeness in life and ministry. Many even paid with their lives. All had one thing in common - their own comfort was less important to them than being like the Lord Jesus Christ in this world. They left their mark on the church through their undying devotion to Him and their untiring efforts for His gospel."