Life in Small Bites

“Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father…. I’ve written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they’re no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ’s anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.”—1 John 2:24-27, The Message

With a piece of toast in hand, and the clock pleading to get going before the traffic builds up, two little phrases jump out from a larger story as your Bible opens to 1 Corinthians 4:

“Do not go beyond what is written.” (vs. 6)…and a reminder to your hurried soul that the Gospel is enough, and that though many authors and teachers may shed a flashlight on its gems, they are not the Light. And perhaps more important for these times, a much-needed first alert to stay the course while a variety of voices and influences compete for your attention, and a cultural tsunami dares you not to watch this, think about that, or go there.

“I am sending to you Timothy…who is faithful in the Lord.” (vs. 17)…and a reminder to your hurried self that no matter what is on your plate for this or any day to come, let this be your one aspiration, and what remains when all is said and done—not as an achievement to check off but as an expression of Love that overflows...somehow, some way, somewhere.

And you are the most surprised person in the world to realize that, at the end of the week, these two little phrases gleaned while trying to get out the door are sticking to your ribs. How does that work?

Not that we should settle for a habit of worship-lite, but it's good to know God is not confined by our own preconceived ideas of what an ideal “quiet time” or “daily devotional” should look like. Instead, He is more into having His kids keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking —to learn to build and nurture the relationship as you go, to “stay with what you heard…and let it sink into your life.”

Perhaps especially on those days of "toast in hand and the clock pleading."