The Sheep that Lost Its Focus

Last night was the first time in a long time that I prayed a heartfelt prayer to God, just talking about what I'm currently going through. I had been avoiding it for a while, but God couldn't be ignored anymore. I can't know that I'm doing the right thing without His input. I can't know what to do without His peace and His okay. So, I did it. I talked to Him. Not only that, but I sat there and listened. Sure, praying to God is great, but sometimes, I feel like it's just venting, and when I get it out of my system, I go about my merry way, even though I tell Him to lead me and guide me and for His will to be done...but I don't stick around to hear what that might be. No relationship works that way, so why treat my relationship with God any different?

So I listened.

And God spoke to me.

He said three things to me, but one that I will share is how I am so willing to share my gifts and talents with loved ones but I don't eagerly share them with Him, the One who gave them to me in the first place. That really convicted me. That's not right. Sure, my gifts and talents can be a blessing to others, but I should be more willing to give them back to God than to a human. I bet He appreciates and treasures it more. So, I've stopped working on projects for others for a while, and I've come up with a few ideas of what I can do for God, a few of which I will share with you.

The first is a poem, titled the same as the title of this blog post. I've been wanting to get back into poetry for a long time. I had come up with some ideas recently, inspired by guys that I was interested in, but they never amounted to anything. I could never get myself to write it down on paper. But now, I have God bringing poetry out of me. Isn't that amazing and how it's supposed to be? It's beautiful.

Anyway, here's my poem.

You know the desires of my heart,

And You have a plan for me.

Sometimes they go together.

I am overwhelmed with glee

So much so that I get lost,

Caught up in the excitement.

The blessing takes the first spot

When that's never what You meant.

Things go okay for a while.

Maybe Satan backs away,

But because You're neglected,

My sin nature has a say.

Temptations start to surface,

And drawn lines begin to blur.

The next thing I know that comes,

I don't care about Your Word.

Things continue to decline,

And I don't understand why,

So You tap me on the arm.

It's then that I want to cry.

How could I do this to You?

It is the present I serve.

Why give me anything then?

This is not what You deserve.

I can't keep screwing things up,

Especially with You, God.

I'm a sheep that has wandered,

And I feel the Shepherd's rod,

But there is hope for me yet.

To You I want to be true.

Please help me to stay focused,

Use this gift to honor You.

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Make sure the God-given blessing doesn't become your god. It will let you down. Besides, God is a jealous God. He's not gonna let anyone or any thing take His place. Keep your priorities straight, and don't let the blessing take you away from God.