If you're anything like me, there are things that you want to work at, things that I want to be better at. I want to learn to play more musical instruments. I want to play the ones that I already play better. I want to be in better physical shape. There are subjects that I'd like to have a better understanding of. But the truth is that I don't practice enough; I don't train much anymore, and I don't read enough. Taking a sober look at my life, I have to come to the realization that I may not really want those things, at least not as much as I want the things that I devote the time to that I used to give to those other pursuits, things like my family and writing. New and better pursuits have replaced the old ones, as it should be. How often have we wanted guidance from the Lord? How many times have we spoken our desire to know the heart of God to other people, or even to God Himself, in our prayers? Are our decisions consistent with that spoken desire? If someone followed you without your knowledge, observing your ways, seeing the expenditure of your time, efforts, and money, what would they judge to be your desire?
As I grow, I should make better decisions about my time; my direction should ever narrow toward my life's pursuit. If your Bible has been neglected, then get into it today. If you don't know, don't remember, or remember longingly what it is to pray without ceasing, then open the lines again, right now. Call on the Lord and taste what it's like to be a man whose spoken desires and whose life align.
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." -Hebrews 12:1-3