I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions (Galatians 5:16 TLB).
In October, 2000, I was asked to be the music director of our church. Since I love music, I agreed after only minimal prayer. Immediately, my sense of peace left me.
As I spent time in God’s presence, a devotional reading reminded me that I didn’t know what stresses and strains might come into my life at home or abroad. It suggested that if I became over-involved in activity, even religious activity, rather than spending time in God’s presence, I would snap when the pressures came. The inspirational message on my daily calendar stated that most of our temptations and testings come not from the temptation to do evil, but rather from the temptation to do things which are in themselves good, but which interfere with our walk with God, family or other responsibilities. Reluctantly, I called the nominating committee to change my answer. My peace returned.
A year later as I looked back on that time, I was so thankful that I was obedient. God knew the year ahead would be filled with overwhelming family crises and responsibilities, as well as an increase in my regular workload. He had known just how much I would be able to bear.
Thank you, Father, help us not to yield to the temptation to do good things that you have not asked us to do. Amen.
August 17, 2021 Almost twenty-one years later, I can still attest to the importance of not becoming involved in too many things that are, in themselves, good but which God has not told you to do. As a writer, I don’t punch a time clock and am basically my own boss which only makes it even more imperative that I be sensitive to the Holy Spirit before I take on new responsibilities. During the months of Robb’s illness from April to July, I was grateful that, because I’d been careful to stick to the priorities God had given me, I had finished the writing of Sarah’s Legacy Lived, the last book in my series, before I was needed to provide support for Robb and Leslie. It wasn’t an easy season, but far easier than it would have been if I’d been trying to finish writing a book. It underscored for me again how important it is to be obedient in the little things.
Devotional adapted from Homespun Faith, Reflections from the Seasons of Life, copyright 2014 Daisy Beiler Townsend. Available as paperback or ebook: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon Press. There are Links on this website on the Where to Buy Homespun Faith and Sarah’s Legacy page. Locally at Fresh Grounds, M & M Grocery, Leana’s Books, Penn Alps in Grantsville, Maryland, or from me 724-373-8445.)