Fixing a Bent Line

As I delve into seminary, I think that my priorities are lining up so that God is first in my life (admittedly, it is not always a straight line, but it is getting there). Moreover, God has definitely helped out along the way, such as rearranging things in my life so that He is first (and so that there is time for seminary). Living in DC, I was working full-time (and we all know that a full-time job is rarely just “full-time”), and attending seminary on a “part-time” basis; I was taking one class at a time and on a 16-year track toward my MDiv. Recently married and having relocated to Ohio, there was a lot of change (and let me say “good change”) and uncertainty going on in my life last year. I moved to Columbus without having secured a job. Thankfully, God has provided, and the opportunity that was laid in front of me (a part-time job at OSU) provides the space in my life to devote to seminary, and even more so to pursuing God’s will for me.

As I said, the line is not always straight; I am pretty good at finding time in the morning for Bible study and for prayer, and I actually try to be in conversation with God often throughout each day. But often, I let life and unnecessary distractions start creeping in. Furthermore, I’ve always been a night person, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it makes it hard to get going in the morning. I need to be better about creating the space, both the physical space and the space in my daily routine, to be more fully in touch with God. My pastor talks about how often in the Bible, when it mentions Jesus’ prayer life, the scripture shows Jesus getting away, getting away from the crowd, getting away from any distractions, to make it easier to just be Him and His Father. I need to be better about this, and to find and create that space.