Stepping Stones: Is Duty a Four-Letter Word?

Transformational Thought

Duty. What an interesting word. When I was a little kid, I would giggle when I heard it because we called poop, “doodies”. As a teenager, duty was a foul four letter word associated with chores or trivial work around the house that was a waste of time, but “built character.” As a young adult, duty represented activities…actually obligations…to being a better manager of my finances, husband, doctor, and civilian. Tasks with no real satisfaction now, but avoiding long-term suffering.

Your greatest calling and duty is devotion to God. This duty is such a luxury that it should feel like a “Joyous Duty.” Now, duty can be associated with opportunity, blessing, peace, connection, love, joy, holiness, and power.

The world is working hard to squeeze you into its mold, which is usually rush, rush, rush, and to crowd out any time devoted to God. The merry-go-round of life just goes faster and faster…rarely slowing down…and only stopping when you die. This world wants you to feel guilty about spending time with God. Or make you feel that everything else is more urgent and needs done now and time with God is a luxury, that doesn’t have any acute relevance or impact in the craziness of the present. Do not let this happen!

God wants to spend time with you, and wants you to spend time with Him. When we spend time with Him, it excites Him, but it also does wonders for our state of mind, well-being, and equipping for life. It’s good for us, and He knows that, that’s one of the reasons why He commands us to worship Him only. When you pick other distractions to spend your time and mental currency on, God might have to do something to those distractions to refocus your eyes and devotion on Him. Don’t wait for God to take action to redirect you, decide to take your own action now.

Today, push back the boundaries of your life to make time alone with your Lord a priority. Then actually follow through with that decision and do it today. If not, you are falling into the world’s trap we just described above. Focus on what it means to be the child of the everlasting King. Rejoice, the King always extends a special invitation to spend time, one on one, just with you.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess that the ways of the world have warped my conscience…this world tries to punish me for doing the very things that please You the most. Let me hear Your voice, Lord…let me hear Your voice above the clamor of voices trying to distract me. I know that You work in perfect Harmony with Your Holy Spirit; I pray that Your Holy Spirit helps calm my mind. Help me be still and attentive in Your presence, for I know I am on holy ground. I pray this and all prayers in the most dutiful servant Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!


The Truth
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
Romans 8:15-16

"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."
Exodus 3:5