I have no good excuses for why I’m posting late on a Tuesday night.
I’ve been busy and a little more stressed lately, but I’ve had plenty of time to write a blog post.
Maybe it boils down to self-sabotage. I’ve had so many weeks of posting on Focus Friday…maybe my brain protested in disbelief. Or, it could be something closer to what I saw on a TV show I was watching recently. One of the characters was musing about why she wasn’t doing something and she came to the conclusion that it was because “they” had told her to do it. She didn’t like being told what to do. Could I be that rebellious that I don’t even want to do something I tell myself to do?
Whatever the case, I just kept putting off writing this post.
And then I saw someone else’s blog post referring to the song “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” They made some insightful observations about verse 3 and their tendency to wander. I’ve always loved that verse, too.
“O to grace how great a debtor…Daily I’m constrained to be…Let thy goodness like a fetter…Bind my wandering soul to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above.”
I am prone to wander. Maybe you are, too.
We’re prone to wander in our bodies (to places we shouldn’t go, or to eat things we shouldn’t eat, or to do things we shouldn’t do).
We’re prone to wander in our hearts (to love certain people or things more than God).
We’re prone to wander in our minds (to thoughts that get us into trouble as we believe Satan’s lies or trust ourselves instead of God).
As soon as we become aware of our wandering ways, we need to make a conscious effort to turn back to God. By constantly giving Him our heart and renewing our resolve to live according to His word, we’ll stay close to Him and we’ll be less likely to wander.
“How can a young person [or an older woman] stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray [wander!] from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:9-11 NIV – brackets mine)
Do you often find yourself wandering? How can focusing on God help you to stay close to Him and live with purpose?
You’re singing my song in more ways than one. Thank you for this post, Robyn – late Tuesday (when I had time to sit down and read it) and all!
Hi Cathy! Sorry I didn’t respond when you first wrote this comment. December was crazy! I hope you find some ways to stop wandering and stay close to the Lord in this new year. ~Robyn
I’m definitely a wanderer! I’ve always loved that song, too. The line: Let thy goodness like a fetter, always caught my attention and reminded me to stay close to God. Thanks for your encouraging post, Robyn.
Hi Susan! I’m glad you love that song, too. Hope you stay close to God in this new year we’re in. May you have a wonderful 2020! ~Robyn