I have a tendency to go overboard on things. When my curiosity is aroused, I am consumed with finding information on wherever my latest interest lies. Depending on the subject, I can be satisfied with one session at the computer, or sometimes, become a lifelong fan (Flylady and Libera are two examples). Learning about houseplants was another interest, a long time ago, and before I had the internet, so I borrowed lots of books from the library. (That's another blog topic altogether!)
This all-consuming curiosity can be a problem, especially since I have three boys, a house to clean, a temporary part-time job, lead a children's group at Bible Study Fellowship, and do a lot of church volunteer work. Time is always a scarce commodity.
The problem lies in spending too much time in researching, learning, reading, watching. And the internet has made it easier to do all of that, which gets me in trouble because it is very time-consuming. It all started when we got high-speed internet a few years ago.
Before high-speed, the internet was a dull, frustrating place and I didn't want to spend time on it (dial-up is such a drag). However, it was harder to do schooling, and Google wasn't at my fingertips to find out the answer to my latest question, whatever it may be. And I had no (gasp!) Facebook.
So satisfying my curiosity can be a good thing, yet there needs to be a balance. I'm still trying to find that balance, and more often than not, I'm definitely on the unbalanced side of things (and it somehow never goes over to the "housecleaning" side. My family would keel over in shock if that were ever to happen).
I'm ever-hopeful that "one day" I'll finally find the perfect balance and life will roll smoothly on, with nary a struggle or moment of stress. Yeah, right. That'll happen the day I die... then I'll have "perfect" rest! Or the day I begin prescription drugs to help me cope with the stress. But I digress. Wow, I'm full of rhymes tonight.
The phrase "curiosity killed the cat" has popped up in my mind and I wonder if it's possible for curiosity to kill your... time, priorities, relationships, and peace. When I look for balance, I guess what I'm really looking for is peace, the sense that things are as they should be. No matter my circumstances, I can roll on peacefully, calmly, purposefully.
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You" (Isaiah 26.3). A steadfast mind is one that is firm in belief, determination, or adherence, and is not subject to change. That sounds purposeful and focused!
The key word for me in that Isaiah passage is the first one, "You." It's not me who keeps me in perfect peace, it's Him. My job is to stay steadfast in belief, determination, and adherence... and to trust. I believe that His Son died for me, loves me and cares for me. I am determined to live my life for Him. I adhere to the principles in the Bible (or try to). And I trust Him with everything I am and have.
I'm not totally there yet, as many of you know (you can stop laughing now). But perfect peace will come when I am able to prioritize everything in my life in the right place, with feeding my curiosity somewhere between God and doing the laundry. One baby step at a time, and this blog is recognizing that I need to re-prioritize. And maybe re-name this blog "Mid-Afternoon Musings"?
What brings you peace?
A clean kitchen brings me peace! lol. =) We are who we are, but I always feel better once I have had my time with Jesus then maybe my list is just as long as before, but it seems more orderly somehow...=)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Stephanie. That quiet/devotional time is so helpful for starting the day off in the right frame of mind. Peace comes in its aftermath :-)
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