Lesson Two: Discernment
Devotion #6: My Way or God’s Way
David Hudgens
I do not know about you, but when I am worn out from a long day, regardless of how productive or encouraging it may have been, I am anxious to rush home and just do nothing. When I finally arrive home, I quickly want to throw off my shoes, find my favorite chair, turn on the game, and scroll through my phone. Honestly, considering my schedule lately, what I have described seems like a pretty fantastic idea right now. After all, what is wrong with a little “me time,” right? I mean, come on, I worked hard today, worked hard this week! Do I not deserve a moment to just “disappear” for a little while and “unplug”?
Perhaps, but for me, this line of reasoning and “self-care” rarely leads to anything profitable. Instead, what often results from the actions described above is this: my children are not seen nor heard by their father, and feelings of neglect invade their thoughts; meals are not made on time; necessary care to the home and pets is not given; laziness is modeled as an acceptable lifestyle; intolerance for those who love me the most forms.
Now, anyone would agree that those are not desirable outcomes. Yet, why would my choices to care for myself in seemingly innocuous ways lead to such destructive results? In Matthew 7:6, Jesus shares a heavy metaphor for the need to learn and practice discernment in our lives. He says, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” In other words, be careful with all that God has blessed you with; be mindful as to how and where you spend the currency of your life.
Why is this important? It is because often opportunity will promise “Eden” but instead deliver the wilderness. Consider this thought from 1 Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.”
When I think about how I want to spend my time at home after a long day, I can make the choice to “turn off” the world around me and just “zone out.” That idea may present itself to me as “just what I need” in order to feel relaxed and better about myself. However, what actually results is this: those who love and depend upon me are ignored and uncared for according to their needs; my home and other resources are not properly maintained and biblically stewarded.
In those moments and others like it, I am tempted to exchange the sacred callings to be a husband and father for what promises to be great satisfaction, for what inevitably always becomes poisoned fruit.
How is it with you today? I want to encourage you, along with me, to seek the Holy Spirit to reveal where in your life you may be handing over the goodness of God to the devouring dogs and trampling pigs of this life. Let us pray for each other today as we learn and grow in discernment.