I look forward to the day when it will truly never end...

One of the most difficult verses for me to follow from the Holy Bible might surprise you...


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New King James Version):

 Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do I stand alone in being challenged by this Scripture? Somehow...I don't think I do.

We are all very busy people. Thank God. During the time Jesus walked this planet, people spent the vast majority of each day thinking about where the next meal would come from and making it come about. That hasn't changed today for many parts of the world either. Yes, we are busy people...but busy at what?

Of course, the standard answer would be life. So tell me, how did life get so busy with...well...life? Stop for just a moment and imagine the life of Adam and Eve for but a single day in the Garden. Nice thought huh? God provided them with everything they needed or could imagine to need. Disobedience lead to their same struggle to survive that we endure today. Really? For most everyone reading this, the daily struggle isn't so much about survival as it is about status and comfort...luxurious comfort at that.

Don't get me wrong! I thank God that my children live a very comfortable home with cabinets full of food, they bath daily in drinking water which is unheard of in most of the world, and that their standard of living far exceeds 99% of all the human beings that have ever existed on the planet. Yet, I remain a busy body with echos of Robert Frost's famous poetic line- ...but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep...  

So, where do I fit God into this self-induced, chaotic schedule called life? After all, that should be priority number one. Fact is, I cherish the daily time I spend with Him. Most of it is completely sporatic and spontaneous. A blessing I often acknowledge in appreciation during worship or prayer.

One thing I've managed to build into my daily routine at work is prayer breaks. Ususally twice a  day, I close my door for a few minutes and spend that time in prayer. I've also manged to use my desktop to help keep me focused by installing a daily verse application that gives me random Scriptures to ponder each day along with an updated prayer list of pressing issues for other people.

I stare at a computer screen a lot during the workday. It only makes sense to incorporate my spiritual focus into the work mix. Another benefit I've discovered is the breaks also help manage my stress. Some of you may wonder, 'How can sitting in front of a computer screen all day be stressful?' My response would simply be (with kindness)...'Walk in these shoes first.'

By the way, I'm still working on the Thessalonians verses...