Day 9: James 4:13–18 - Preoccupation and Self-Sufficiency

"I knew that I was in deep trouble, and I did the only thing I knew to do—I went away to a mountain hideaway for prayer and fasting. It took about twenty-four hours to shake free of preoccupation with my own wounds and to focus on the excellencies of God. As I did, slowly love began to be rekindled. And with love came joy." - Robertson McQuilkin, former president of Columbia International University

Whether it's suffering that draws near to you or your heart that is drawn out into temptation, the mind of the flesh spins to get out of a thing or into a thing.  This is preoccupation for self-sufficiency - rooted in arrogance because it believes there's a happiness apart from God.  The very thought process that cannot pray "thy will be done," is the same mindset that chooses the wide gate and the easy way...and no light to illumine thy path.  When you find yourself preoccupied with many things, it is time to sit at the feet Jesus and worship.

"But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:40-42

Worship is preoccupation with God.  It fights other preoccupations by saying, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." (v.15).  Worship is the conviction and commitment that God and God alone will be our preoccupation!  How about you - is God your preoccupation? If not, there is a good chance that something already is.  If so, turn to Christ and confess that He is enough!

"Too many Christians worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship. We must learn to work at our worship so that preoccupation with God becomes delightfully habitual." - Karen Burton Mains in the hymnbook, Sing Joyfully

Posted by Henry Jung on 6/11/2016

Comments

When it comes to preoccupation with God, Philippians 4:8 comes to mind:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Philippians 4:8

I think the biggest problem for people that know of God but don't have him central in their lives is that they haven't really understood or witnesssed the weight of his glory. Creation is great, but it can in no way compare to the everlasting God. Our view of God is so limited; we put God in a box. I think KB put it really well in his song "Zone Out":

"I’ve seen the Lord, the same I’ll never be
Some say they’ve seen the Lord but live on casually
I don’t know what you saw but the Lord ain’t what you seen
Once you really seen the Lord, you’re obsessed with what you see"

Chris Moon on 6/13/2016 at 11:21 PM

Being preoccupied with God. Not even occupied with God. PREoccupied. To be completely engrossed in thought. To be completely engrossed with God and all that He has to bring. It almost seems impossible to be completely and utterly immersed in God, His character, His stories, His lessons, etc. etc. etc. I know that there may be the desire to be utterly immerse, but I guess that's where the battle is. To physically and mentally use all your energy to remain in His presence and to sit at His feet. If one has seen the Lord, sitting at His feet for a second, a minute, an hour, would not be enough. Like KB says in his song, you would be completely and utterly obsessed with everything God is. Wanting more and craving another second.

Diana Lim on 6/14/2016 at 7:59 AM