GETTING AHEAD OF OURSELVES

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 5-9

"...So David went there and brought the Ark to the City of David with a great celebration. After the men who were carrying it had gone six steps, they stopped and waited so David could sacrifice an ox and a fattened calf." 2 Samuel 9:12-13 NLT

As a child, I don't know how many times I was warned, Now don't get ahead of yourself!

I would rush into matters.

I would hurry to accomplish a task.

I would race to get a job done like I was in a firetruck heading to a fire.

The warning was given to me in order that I not miss the details, that I would not hurry past the heart of the matter and that I wouldn't forget the 'why' of what I was attempting to do.

Our 'Ark-bearers' are a prime example of making sure to go at a pace that pleases the Lord and make the journey enjoyable.

I understand that every time they went six steps, they paused and worshiped.

Could they have gotten the Ark from Gath to Jerusalem much quicker--oh, yes!

But would they have honored God as intentionally, sought Him as desperately and promoted the sanctity of the Ark as emphatically--no!

Isn't that what we do when we rush through life?

We assume we'll have tomorrow, we hurry by all the small blessings God desires to reveal to us and we don't make the time to invite others into the pilgrimage to heaven.

I want to take on an 'every six steps' attitude in regards to how I live.

I desire that I make the effort to honor Him more often than every seven days, before I eat a meal or when I find myself in a pickle.

Lord, help me not to get ahead of myself!