Devotional:

It is 5:30 in the afternoon and your phone’s text alert is beeping for the third time in 5 minutes. You have 10 unread emails, and you know from the subject line that one of them is from your boss about a project due tomorrow. You have somewhere to be at 7pm, and your child keeps trying to get your attention to help them with their homework. When does it ever stop? There is always someone and something — often more than one — demanding our attention.

In times like these, urgent often trumps important. The same is true in our spiritual lives. The most important person wanting our attention is our heavenly Father. But if we’re honest, He doesn’t always get it.

Amid the busyness and chaos, God does not necessarily demand our attention, but He desires it more than anyone else ever will. As we draw near to God, we remember who we are and what really matters (Psalm 16:11).

In Revelation 8, John’s vision shows God working to get the attention of people on earth in numerous ways — silence in heaven, trumpets, fire, thunder, and lightning. Even now, God makes His presence known through other believers, the Bible, and the earth He created. Psalm 19 reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” The decrees of the Lord “are more precious than gold” and “sweeter than honey.” They guide us and make us wise.

One day, all the hustle and bustle we call life will end, and God will have our complete attention. He doesn’t want to be a stranger when that day comes. So He continues to make Himself known, urging us to enjoy life with Him now and into eternity.

Reflect:

• What is one way God has been trying to get your attention?
• What is one thing fighting for your attention today?
• Is there anything you need to say “no” to in order to prioritize time with your heavenly Father?