Today’s lesson was really good. I love when something we learn in a study conicides with something that I’ve been feeling or thinking about, because it seems to be confirmation that it is something the Holy Spirit is working on in me.

Lately, I’ve just been feeling super distracted. I’ve also been feeling like I’m just behind in life, like there literally are not enough hours in the day for me to get done what I need to get done. That statement leads me to believe that there have to be things I am doing in my day that aren’t necessary. There just has to be. So, I’ve been praying and asking God to guide me and show me what to do and what not to do. I’ve still been trying to do this all on my own, as much as I don’t want to, and it’s still not working. As I’ve been praying, He’s been revealing some things, and I’m really working on those, like Facebook and our JP group page.

Then, we get to today’s lesson and it was just what I think I needed to hear. He opened up the lesson with this question—

“Why do we not yearn for God?”

All throughout the Bible, there are people who desperately wanted more of God. All throughout history, there are people who yearned for, thirsted for more of God. And yet, we do not. I do not. And the very real question we were asking was why not?

And the very simple answer he gave was that we’re distracted. We are SO distracted. And I agree wholeheartedly.

We read through Philippians 3:1–9, where Paul talks about how EVERYTHING in this world is rubbish compared to knowing Jesus Christ as Lord. Going to church—rubbish. Being a good person—rubbish. Having a good family—rubbish. Going to Bible class—rubbish. And on and on.

Now, that is not to say that those things are bad. In fact, they’re good. And there will probably be good fruit from them. But, they are garbage compared to knowing Christ, simply because knowing Him is just that good.

He made the point that not all hindrances in this life are sin—some are for sure, but some are just hindrances, just distractions. I’d honestly never really thought about it like that.

He ended the lesson with these 2 questions to think about—

1. What stirs your affections for Jesus?
2. What weakens your affections for Jesus?

I’ve been thinking about those this weekend (confession-I’m actually a day late in writing this post) and thought I’d jot down some of my answers. I’m still thinking and praying for God to show me the answers though, so that I can build my days around things that stir affections, rather than weaken them.

Things that stir my affections for Jesus: worship music with emotion/words that I feel passionate about singing, getting up early and having time to think/pray/read/be quiet before my kids get up and the day begins, being outside in nature, good conversation with other Christians about Jesus/how we are called to live, learning nuances about Bible times that make the scriptures come alive, seeing an answer to prayer

Things that weaken my affection for Jesus: sleeping in and starting the day by being woken up by my kids because I wake up feeling behind and with a to do list in my head, not reading the Bible for stretches of time, reading lots of blogs/books/watching tv shows that have nothing to do with God, trying to do too much because all I get so inward focused and overwhelmed

I want to yearn for Jesus. I want that do badly. I want to not be distracted and not focused, because I’m running around trying to do so many things that don’t matter. I’m trying to remember that, as Matt said, “morally neutral things are more likely to rob me of my affections for Christ than wicked and heinous things.” It is such a good reminder.

God, please remove the things in my life that are hindering me from yearning for You. Please take away the distractions, release me from their grip, and turn my heart towards you. I want to want so much more of you. I want to yearn for you.