Psalms 86:11-12
"Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever."
Besides being the ultimate hand-burner and team-builder, the game of tug-of-war is a perfect example of what happens when two opposite forces combat each other and pull in different directions. The amount of energy exhorted by each team is massive in order to overcome the others, and the flag in the middle seems to advance in no specific direction as it moves a few inches to the left before being pulled a foot to the right.
Similarly, a divided heart could potentially be as tiring and frustrating as the famous field-day competition: exorbitant amounts of energy and effort may be poured into your walk with God, but with division comes immediate competition, and your progress will lack respectively, going from side-to-side like the flag in the game. Eventually, one side is going to win, leaving you exhausted and hopeless as you give in to the fight.
Just yesterday, I was reminded of how many things distract me. Facebook, TV, and texting, specifically have been vying for my attention. I find that I enjoy such things when I partake in them, but feel empty minutes after I'm done.
John 6:35 says, “Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus claims that we won't want more and that we'll be satisfied once we partake on "his team." It's with this understanding of God's completeness for us that Psalms 86 is able to be fulfilled in our lives. Once our perspective changes in that we realize how much God is all we need, that God will give us an undivided heart, one particularly that doesn't wage war against itself. With one focus, one desire, one passion, one love, progress in worship can therefore be made.
It's about time for the rope to drop and the whistle to blow.
God, I'm done fighting. Help me to overcome this division in my life and open my eyes to your provision in my life. You are all I need to be satisfied. Thank you for revealing that truth; by your grace, bless me with an undivided heart, that you might be served wholeheartedly in everything I do. Let's move on together oh God, that your Kingdom would advance and that your Name would be known in my life and in those around me.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
*If you would like encouragement on this topic, check out the song, "Cry In My Heart" by Starfield
