In modern times, most people in Western culture have access to 24/7 media saturation. We may not know much about our neighbor next door, but that fellow 6,000 miles away? We're quite aware of his goings and doings if we watch the news or some (un)reality show.
Certainly there's nothing inherently wrong with being informed about faraway events and people, unless... unless it distracts us from more immediate and pressing matters.
"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds" (Proverbs 27:23).
We can do little about the far away fellow and his challenges, or about macro matters of world affairs. Our own flocks and herds, however, beckon incessantly for personal attention, application, and diligence. Our Heavenly Father would have us most concerned about these matters of a life that honors Him at the present moment, in our personal venue and sphere of influence. I can't change the world at large. I can, however, grab hold of the realities of my small plot of God-ordained responsibility, trusting in His leading and enabling to effect necessary changes therein.
Being faithful in the small matters of the day - this is Biblical Christianity, as lived by those who listen closely for the bleating of the flocks in our own field. We will be judged for our faithfulness there, even as our Lord presently assures us of His attention to matters beyond our reach and capacity.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:7-8)
Certainly there's nothing inherently wrong with being informed about faraway events and people, unless... unless it distracts us from more immediate and pressing matters.
"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds" (Proverbs 27:23).
We can do little about the far away fellow and his challenges, or about macro matters of world affairs. Our own flocks and herds, however, beckon incessantly for personal attention, application, and diligence. Our Heavenly Father would have us most concerned about these matters of a life that honors Him at the present moment, in our personal venue and sphere of influence. I can't change the world at large. I can, however, grab hold of the realities of my small plot of God-ordained responsibility, trusting in His leading and enabling to effect necessary changes therein.
Being faithful in the small matters of the day - this is Biblical Christianity, as lived by those who listen closely for the bleating of the flocks in our own field. We will be judged for our faithfulness there, even as our Lord presently assures us of His attention to matters beyond our reach and capacity.
O Father, did You see what happened over there?
I did, My child, but I would have your
gaze upon
the happening of here.
Yes, my Father, but over there...
I know that quite well, My child, you need not fear.
Attend yourself rather to
the happening of here.
But Father, what if that over there...
Be sure, My child, for that I'm quite prepared,
but you, you must make ready for
the happening of here.
I see, My Father, that too much gazing over there
distracts my view from matters near.
And so Your voice I hear, as it calls my gaze just now
to the happening of here,
the happening of here.
Weekly Memory VerseI did, My child, but I would have your
gaze upon
the happening of here.
Yes, my Father, but over there...
I know that quite well, My child, you need not fear.
Attend yourself rather to
the happening of here.
But Father, what if that over there...
Be sure, My child, for that I'm quite prepared,
but you, you must make ready for
the happening of here.
I see, My Father, that too much gazing over there
distracts my view from matters near.
And so Your voice I hear, as it calls my gaze just now
to the happening of here,
the happening of here.
"Peter, seeing John, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow Thou me."
(John 21:21-22)
(John 21:21-22)
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:7-8)
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