Living Simply...Yet Focused

Last night as I was reading a devotional and my Bible I had some things revealed to me, I wanted to share what the devotional was because I thought is was so impacting. Maybe it can help someone else. It's from the devotional book My Utmost For His Highest.

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin- they simply ARE! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon- all of these simply are as well- yet what a ministry and service they render on OUR behalf! So often we impair God's designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our OWN conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on GOD. In essence, Jesus was saying, "Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me." In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you "will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38. We cannot discover the reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstance's and if we will stay focused on HIM, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually- just as "the lilies of the field."
The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and the lilies of the field- SIMPLY AND UNAFFECTEDLY. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.
If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on HIM, and He will make use of you every minute you live- yet you will be unaware on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used by Him.

I guess I realized that I have been asking to work for God and for God to speak to me, but I have not had my focus on Him, it's been on my circumstances, which immediately makes me first and God second. I hope that from this day forward, I will change the way I think and interact with and for God. Just some deep thoughts for Monday- make it a great day!