But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! So God has sent this hand to write a message."This is the message that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. This is what these words mean: Mene means 'numbered'—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end. Tekel means 'weighed'—you have been weighed on the balances and have failed the test. Parsin means 'divided'-your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel 5:23-28
I'm so busy! Deadlines for work, responsibilities with kids, keeping the house and yard in order, dozens of urgent daily tasks, exercise, grocery shopping…oh yeah, squeeze in a nap somewhere. They're all important, good things, and going for balance in my day is a constant juggling act for me. But what is often the first thing to go when I feel too busy or stressed in my day?
Time with my Creator.
The fact is, it's easy to let this part of life slide, because He's the only One in my day waiting patiently, quietly, without demands. But He's the only One that really matters. It is God who controls the outcome, so why don't I go to Him for the journey?
He is the One who gives me the breath and life to carry on my daily tasks. He is the reason to do any of it—the only One who can make it all add up to something meaningful. And truly, all these urgent things I fret, stew, and scurry around to manage and control, thinking I'm making a balanced orderly life for myself, are only passing shadows. Benign events. Nothing worthy of my full attention and devotion at the cost of time with my Most High.
As I read Daniel this morning, I don't want my life to be for nothing. I don't want to be so wrapped up in myself, forgetting my First Love, that my life is pointless and my days numbered because of obsolete living. When my daily acts are weighed, I want them to pass the test of refined gold. And I only pray that my opportunity to influence those around me is never divided and given to someone else because I was too distracted and busy to care.
But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There isreally only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it – and I won't take it away from her." Luke 10:41-42