Simplicity or Self-discipline

As Christians, we all to often see the need to know God better. We want to pray more, we want to study the Scriptures more, and we want to meditate on God's Word more. But despite our somewhat recognition of our need we do nothing to change the lack of devotion that we have for God. Instead, we complain that our schedules are too busy and that if we just had a few more extra minutes throughout the day, that we would be able to spend personal time with God daily. We even ask people to pray for our busy schedule that we might somehow lead a simpler life so that we can spend more time with God. Though this seems good and our motives, in fact, may be good, we have become deceived. This problem of not spending time in devotion to know God better is NOT a situational or circumstantial problem, but rather a problem of the heart. Our hearts are deceitful and wicked and we must recognize where we have gone astray. So if a person desires to have more devotion in knowing God in his life, he must not pray and ask for different circumstances, but rather pray for self-discipline to spend time with God during his day. Is this easy? Absolutely not, but it is absolutely necessary. We, as Christians, must not ignore our proud, selfish hearts that have deceived us, but instead, we must pray to God and beg Him for mercy and humility and the strength to live a disciplined life where we can devote portions of our day to know God better through His Word. Our only hope of change is not changing our circumstances, but in God alone. Let us humbly seek His face.