"So humble yourselves before the Lord. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 NLT)
Regular reflection and confession are two huge contributors to our humility. Reflection allows us ample opportunity to self-identify shortfalls AND make space for the Holy Spirit to speak. Reflection helps us see rightly and Confession clears the air between us and God, getting us back on the right track (righteousness) with Him. If we don’t build these consistent moments of quiet into our day, how far might we persist in sin?
There are so many reasons to keep a Daily Office. Peter Scazzero suggests that we live in a blizzard: the constant barrage of the world is disorienting and disastrous to our spiritual health. He says we need a a rope to lead us home. Having lived much of my life in the North, I know precisely what he’s talking about. Blizzards can blow up in a matter of minutes, no new precipitation needed. On the plains, when there is already snow on the ground, a twenty mile or more an hour winds can whip up a white out without notice. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about such storms; her Pa would tie a rope between the barn and the house so he wouldn’t lose his way home.
“The Daily Office and Sabbath are ropes that lead us back to God in the blizzards of life.”
Peter Scazzero
In this slowed-down season, I am realizing the value of paying attention to God in the midst of my morning prep, my work day, and my evening wind-down. Much like bedtime prayers with my spouse; these scheduled interactions keep me aware and accountable. If I say or do something dumb, it’s going to come up in these quiet moments. But far more than that, I remain cognizant of my love for my Creator throughout the day. Short accounts and regular connection alter my natural (sinful) course of action.
We can flip to Genesis 3 and see Adam and Eve had an evening walk with their Creator. And friends, twenty-three hours between conversation proved to be too long. God’s spoke Word and affection had faded by the time the serpent slithered in. The snake seized his opportunity, striking while their resolve was the weakest.
As believers, we likely cling to our morning devotional routines, but how far do we stray during the day? Twenty-three hours is an eternity in a blizzard. A few fixed points of even the briefest prayer can provide a rope to hold on to.
"Morning, noon and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice." (Psalm 55:17 NLT)
Lord, we are learning to prioritize the small windows of trust each day. We recognize their value in keeping us from falling off the path with You. Meet us in reflection and confession; humble us through our regular interaction. Keep the snake at bay. Amen.