In the days of the circuit riders a minister was out riding one afternoon and came upon a man out working in his field. "Fine day isn't it?" the minister called out.
"Its fine for you," the man replied, "All you have to do is ride around on that horse thinking about God all day long, while I have to sweat here in this field and then walk home afterward. I don't think its right you should have things so easy while I have to work so hard."
"On the contrary", the minister answered, "thinking about God is one of the most difficult things you can do. And to prove it, I'll give you this horse if you can think about God and nothing else for one minute."
"You're on," said the man and immediately he sat down in silence. Thirty seconds later he looked up at the minister, and said, "Does that include the saddle?"
Thinking about God is not difficult. Thinking about nothing BUT God is very difficult indeed. There are so many things in the world around us that compete for our time and attention.
When Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6), he described people who want nothing else and think of nothing else than to be right with God. Many of us want to be righteous. However, few of us crave it so that it becomes the consuming passion of our lives. But Jesus assured us that only those who have that intense desire will receive what they desire.
I leave you with this question for thought — what is it that you find yourself thinking about today? My prayer is that, more and more, your thoughts may be focused on God and Him alone.
My lips will praise you because your mercy is better than life [itself]. So I will thank you as long as I live. I will lift up my hands [to pray] in your name. You satisfy my soul with the richest foods. My mouth will sing [your] praise with joyful lips. As I lie on my bed, I remember you. Through the long hours of the night, I think about you (Psalm 63:3-6 God's Word).
