This morning I made an interesting observation. A while back I set up my Outlook on my computer to automatically move the devotions that I receive into a specially marked folder. So, when they arrive they are automatically routed to this new folder and don’t sit in my inbox. It is so nice to have that filing take place automatically. Ah ha, the bad news is that I don’t automatically check that folder each morning like I do my inbox. So, I haven’t been starting my day off the same way, and also not sending out as many emails to you all.

How is that like life? How is that like my walk with Him?

The first thing that comes to mind is the stereotypes and prejudgments that I make without even thinking about it. Okay, okay, I’ve been trying to think of an example that I’d be willing to share. So here goes. This morning, on a walk, a person walked towards me who was wearing what looked to be old, dirty clothes. Based on everything my eyes took in, I prejudged that he was probably homeless and was going to ask me for money. This while he was probably 10-15 feet away and before a word came from his mouth. I’d already filtered him. Whether he asked me for money or not isn’t even the issue.

Let me think of it another way, not about a person, but say about a flower. I like roses, and Lori grows ones that are very beautiful. I can easily find myself showing a lack of interest when she presents one as smelling particularly fragrant. My mind automatically thinks, “I’ve smelled a rose before.” I have already discounted the rose, God’s creation, but also Lori, who wanted to share it with me. I’ve already filtered out the message. I’m missing out on several fronts.

What are the filters that I have in place that stop me from experiencing God’s fullness? Heck, not even His fullness… just experiencing God.

Wait, it gets better!

“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little.”
–Sydney Smith, writer and clergyman (1771-1845)

How many times have I missed out because I’ve filtered a situation based on my perception of my abilities previously? For me, a perfect comparison is stepping on to the racquetball court against someone I have never beaten before. In my mind, I have probably looked at the situation and filed it under “impossible” or “unlikely” or CAN’T or WON’T. It would come as no great surprise that I do that with things I see other people doing for God, “I couldn’t do that, I’ve tried… it isn’t something I’ve done before… I don’t feel comfortable doing that… I don’t have that gift… blah, blah, blah.”

One of my favorite quotes is one that I don’t repeat often enough to myself: “Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can.”

I need to regularly ask of the Holy Spirit to adjust my filters, especially the CAN and CAN’T ones, the WILL and WON”T, the IS and ISN’T.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
— Proverbs 3:5-6, The New International Version

In His service,
Keith