Today’s Scripture: Micah 6:8, NKJV- “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
“And what does the LORD require of you?” This question, when taken personally, makes us lean in and listen intently doesn’t it? Is there anything more important on our plate today than what the LORD, our Creator, requires of us?
I struggle to prioritize tasks in my life. Every task on my to-do list seems important and urgent to me. From time to time, I share my difficulties with time management to others and most times they make it sound so simple to get back on track. Just make your list of things that must be done, prioritize those items, then tackle number one and work on it until it is completed and then move to number two. Sounds simple enough.
Life places many demands on us. What is a priority to one person is not necessarily a priority for others. I have found that accountability is healthy. We can get lost when left to ourselves and begin going down wrong paths in a hurry. It is important to surround ourselves with mentors, friends, and accountability partners that share common goals.
Even after sixteen years of Celebrate Recovery meetings, last night I was reminded of the simplicity of Principle 7: “Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.” We were studying the lesson on how to prevent relapse into our old hurts, habits, and hang-ups. The actions that got us sober will keep us sober.
It really is simple when we do what is required of us. Micah was holding the people of God accountable in Micah 6:8. He was reminding them and us that God has shown us what is good. We know what is good, and we must slow down long enough to consider our next move and its goodness in the eyes of God. The old what would Jesus do question works. Although cliché, it is a legitimate question. What would You have me do today, God?
In most recovery programs we are reminded to just do the next right thing. Sometimes, when left alone, we choose the next thing we desire in the moment which may not be the right thing for us or anyone. It is critical to make a priority of meeting with others and with our God. So, if we daily or even moment to moment consider what God requires of us, we can simplify our lives.
More than I want to please my earthly masters, the expectations of others, and the demands of the tyranny of urgent emails, texts, and calls, I want to do what God requires of me. And what does God require of us? Micah makes it clear right now and, in this moment, we can ask God to help us to choose what He considers just, to love His mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. Reserving this time daily and moment to moment to ask God and include Him in examining our lives and to-do lists, we will choose the next right thing.
As stated in Micah 6:3, God does not burden or weary us. He really has simple requirements. Let us keep it simple and prioritize today based on what God requires of us. Will you act justly and do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God today?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for your provisions to us. Draw us near LORD. Thank You for meeting with us when we pause to examine our lives and priorities with You. You LORD and Your glory are our priority. Help us Father God to do what is just in Your eyes, to live and love in Your mercy, and to walk and act humbly with You as we live our lives today. Amen.
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