Laziness, Tomato Sauce, and King David

Yesterday I stated that a focus on increasing church membership can sometimes distract from discipling believers. When I wrote that I was thinking about my years teaching a Sunday morning Bible study class. There were times that I felt pressure to somehow increase my class size. I was on pins and needles every week to see how many would show up. That pressure took away so much of the joy and satisfaction of serving.

But one day I came across a passage of Scripture that eased that pressure. The passage described a time when King David was tempted by Satan to take a census. David gave in to the temptation, revealing that his desire to revel in his own power and glory was temporarily overshadowing his desire to bring glory to God. That passage confirmed to me that I should just focus on my role as Bible study teacher and allow God to decide if there should be growth or not, making much of Jesus all along the way.

So when I was writing yesterday’s post, I really wanted to share that passage with you. But that would have required a bit of searching and digging, and it was late and I still needed to research ebook readers and gadget gifts for men and put myself to sleep playing Jumbline and I’m providing all of these unnecessary details to convince you that I was Very Busy.

So then this morning I got up and fed Michael while browning sausage for some killer crockpot chili and made a classic Leslie move by spilling about a quarter of the tomato sauce on the counter, the floor, and myself, requiring me to clean that up only to take my son out of his booster seat so that my little tornado could work very hard at destroying my house and injuring himself…again with the unnecessary details because you need to understand that the Bible study time I had eventually was HARD FOUGHT FOR. And yes, I know that if I had my quiet time before my son wakes up it would be, well, quiet, but that just doesn’t work for me.

By the time I sat down with my Bible study I was almost too tired to care, but I pressed forward and am so glad that I did. I’ve been working on Beth Moore’s study of David and you’ll never guess what she covered today! Or rather what I read today that she wrote forever ago with nary a thought about me and and my tomato sauce stained pajama bottoms.

Okay, okay, okay, I won’t keep you in suspense. Today she referenced 1 Chronicles 21, which begins with, “Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.” It’s the very passage that I was too lazy…uh, I mean too BUSY to find last night! Is that not amazing?! Seriously, what are the chances of that happening? I guess the chances are pretty good when you serve a God that wants you to know and study His Word. I’m amazed all over again that such a great big powerful God loves me and cares to know about my every thought and move. And that He’s so kind that He’ll direct my Bible study and teach me as if I were His only student.

So, with a belly full of some yummy chili, I encourage you to press on in Bible study and furthering your relationship with a loving Father. It can seem so difficult to find the time and energy, especially when caring for little ones. But keep trying. He’s worth it.