Little Obediences {A prayer for a heart inclined}

I lifted my hand to my mouth, then stopped short. Really? Really, God? You’re going to convict me about a silly bite? For crying out loud, does it really matter? I knew the answer in my heart.

Everything matters.

I’d been asking God to help me tackle little areas of sin in my life. It’s the little stuff, the things we think, “Well that’s not a big deal,” that can hinder our relationship with God and others, because we don’t see the need to address them. Like the Familiars we looked at last week.  I knew what mine were–little choices about my attitude, how to treated others, a lack of generosity in small things. He pinpointed some specific behaviors, so I asked Him to remind me.

But now You’re going to tap my shoulder about a silly bite of food? I almost rolled my eyes. 

But I knew quick enough what the heart issue was. When I’m tired, my focus narrows down to “meet my own needs.” My husband and children become peripheral blurs compared to my own strong desire to check-out, tune-out, lock-them-out-of-the-house (ok, just kidding) and sometimes that can be in the form of social media and/or eating. Nothing wrong with taking a little break, but a God-focused break refreshes us so we can pour out more, a me-focused break makes me more curved in on myself … no bueno.

I put the bite of food down, and returned to the task of making dinner. The phrase Little Obediences popped in my head.

Yes, that’s so it. 

It’s what I ask of my children. I’m not talking nit-picking, but if I ask them to do something, and they do it their own way, or in their own time, or in a way that shows disrespect or a lack of care, that matters to me. It isn’t obedience. It’s half-hearted. It is an underhanded obedience that allows self to stay on the throne.

It’s begrudging obedience without bowing the will, which isn’t obedience at all.

True submission is bending the knee.

It is relinquishing rights.

It is a humble prayer that even in the inclinations of our hearts would be toward joyful submission to our Great and Loving King. 

Just that morning I had read it:

“Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds…” (Ps. 141:4)

To ANY evil. That is, even the tiny stuff. The Familiars. That which seems to not matter. The unseen areas of attitude and action that do affect our relationship with God. Just as my children’s half-hearted or partial obedience grieves (and frustrates!) me.

Does it not also grieve the heart of God? 

And so, a humble prayer:

“Do not incline my heart to ANY evil.

Let me hear Your still, small voice, speaking in still, small moments, convicting me of small things which make a big difference. In my joy, my nearness to you, my ability to love.

Curve my heart, not in on itself, but out, in worship of You and service to others.

Above all I pray: Incline my heart … to You.

{Richest blessings on your week as you embrace little obediences and pray for a heart inclined. Thanks for reading.}