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Key Bible Verse: But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (Luke 5:16). Bonus Reading: Mark 1:35-37

Acolleague picked me up at the airport. A professor, driving by as I arrived home, pulled into my driveway to let me know about a seminary development. Entering the house, I found that another thoughtful colleague had dropped off my office mail and was still there. He began reviewing with me the materials he was leaving. Then the phone rang—someone from the office.

For the next several months, although vaguely discontent with my out-of-balance life, I plunged into my old routines. Just after that Texas trip, I'd acquired a new Bible. One day I took my old Bible from the top shelf to look something up in it. A sheet of paper fell out. I picked it up—and began to tremble. It was the forgotten list of actions almighty God had given me.

I moved that list to my new Bible. Every morning I'd pull it out and ask the Lord to show me how to put each instruction into practice. Whenever I attempted to transfer that list to my "completed file," the Lord gently instructed me to put it back. So I'll never forget my satisfaction on the day the Lord finally gave me peace about putting the list away. I was now regularly practicing what he'd told me to do.

—Richard Blackaby in Unlimiting God

My Response: Have I asked God's Spirit to help me achieve balance in my schedule?

Thought to Apply: It is possible to be so active in the service of Christ as to forget to love him. —P.T. Forsyth (Scottish pastor & theologian)

Adapted from Unlimiting God (Multnomah, 2008) by permission.

Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

I want to be directed by your Spirit, Lord, not driven by my calendar. Please teach me how.

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