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Matthew 6:34 – So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time. (TLB)
Our society bombards us with advertising for every imaginable need and want. When we order from online companies, we receive non-stop advertising from those enterprises. Our smartphones notify us about everything. We can strap on activity trackers to monitor our heart rate, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Personally, I am overwhelmed with all the conveniences offered. We are drowning in a flood of unwanted intrusions into our day by every manner of digital convenience gadget, tempting us to buy unwanted and unnecessary products every day. If I'm not careful, these interlopers can steal away my day.
Instead of grumbling and being resentful, wasting this day fretting, perhaps we could live in a state of gratitude. Instead of monitoring all manner of things, let's count our blessings for today, because with every minute that passes, time is getting away. Conveniences that waste our time are not of God. Perhaps, intrusion is a temptation of the technological age that we live in, and instead, I could simply pick a convenient hour to use the devices that will cause me stress or keep me from doing what is assigned for this day. I can trust that because of Him, I can face tomorrow, and because God gives us grace for each day, I can get through this one.
We can set aside a certain amount of time each day to plan for needs. While we rely on God's guidance and depend on His provision for these needs, we keep a fine balance between planning and anxiety. Don't be trapped by unnecessary intrusions, but fill the moments wisely, because the clock tells us that we are marching quickly toward tomorrow's assignments.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for meeting our needs each day and reining us back to gratitude when we begin to obsess about intrusions. Let us know when we have too many conveniences. Amen.
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So true, Karen.
Right on, excellent devotion.
Wise advice, Karen! It’s so easy to let those things run our lives.
We are continually reminded of God’s faithfulness to meet all of our needs. Thank you for the reminder to be continually thankful for His provision, and above all His love.
I enjoy a time with God, when I wake up, and just before bed. The Lord is ever present. Thank you for your devotional.
(Manitoba, Canada)
Thank you, Karen, for today’s devotion concerning interlopers. It “hit” home as I often use my computer as a distraction instead of using my discipline to use my day wisely. It is a good reminder.
Thank you, Karen,
A very welcome reminder that technology is our choice. It is not forced upon us and is our choice to use or leave aside… though during the current Covid 19 situation, I do enjoy being able to worship by Zoom.
May God keep you safe and well.
Blessings.
Good morning Karen,
Thank you for those good words this morning. There are indeed many gadgets which can occupy so much of our time. I see it with the younger generation in our own family.
I am glad to say that other than my desktop computer which I use for E-Mail, writing and some accounting I/we don’t have all the things you mention.
However, it is still difficult at times to take time to reflect on the blessings we receive every day.
Blessings.
God bless Karen for sharing.
Maye the cure for our consumerism is to consider those in places like refugee camps where hoping for a meal is top of their minds.
Thanks for writing.
Yes Karen, we have to keep using our delete button to keep out intrusions.
I pray for you and for many others bombarded with unwanted emails.
Thank you for writing.