Gaining Clarity

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."  Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

UUGGHH!!  Today was the day.  As I pulled on the sweats and the sneakers, I knew this day would come - it was time to get back to the gym!  For some of you, the thought of going to the gym may be a welcomed one.  For me?  Not so much.  I am not one of the "workout" people.  I do this because I know it is good for me, not because I think it is fun.  I knew the month of January was going to prove difficult to get to the gym.  There was vacation, then some family commitments that took much of my time.

So the inevitable was here.  Stretching, weights, sit ups, rowing, biking, the whole thing.  Yes, I know I will be sore tomorrow (no doubt there).  Yet, as I left, the same feeling came across me that always does when I leave the gym - you did it, Susan!  I leave the gym knowing that it was worth my time.  As my husband and I were driving home, he shared, "Ya know?  When I go to the gym, I seem to gain clarity of my thoughts.  Before getting back to the gym, I feel as if my head is spinning.  When I work out, I seem to gain clarity."  As I thought about what Juan shared, I realized he was right!  When we get back to the basics and do what we should do, we gain clarity in all areas of our lives.

The same thing happens when I get back to the basics of my Lord.  When I delve into my daily devotion, and read God's word, I gain clarity.  When I don't do those things, my thoughts take me into a million directions, and life seems overwhelming.  This also happened recently.  With so much going on at work and at home, I found my thoughts crawling over each other - fighting for my attention.  Whether I turned to the left or the right, I couldn't gain clarity.  It wasn't until I went back to God's word on a regular basis, soaking it in, was I able to gain the clarity of where to go and what to do.

Life is hard.  Finding time to do the "right" things can be difficult.  Whether it is work commitments or home commitments, finding time to do the things that provide clarity for us can seem impossible.  Don't let us forget the importance these opportunities give us.  When we get our priorities right, we walk in the way that Jesus has intended.  That is always a good thing!  Living a life that gives us clarity means living a life that walks in the way of Jesus.  

As you walk through the days ahead, remember to gain clarity.  Find the time to work out, read a book with your little one, hold your spouse's hand, and most importantly, read God's word.  For in gaining clarity, we gain peace.

"Heavenly Father, many times there is so much going on in our lives that it can be difficult to see 'the forest through the trees'".  Help us and guide us to gain clarity, Jesus.  Move us in the direction of YOU - and YOUR word.  In doing so, we know we will gain the necessary clarity to handle all that is on our plates - and to do so in a more peaceful way.  In your gracious name we pray.  Amen"