angelaschmeling

What do you think of when you hear the word neglect?

It’s a pretty negative sounding word, isn’t it? I mean, it literally means to to fail to do, to not care for, or to disregard.

I am one that hates to fail, but I know I, as well as all of us, can relate to neglecting things. Sometimes we neglect the little things: laundry, house cleaning, homework, etc.

What is something that we should never neglect, though we sometimes do? Our relationships, our family, our health, our relationship with God.

I think if we did an honest assessment of ourselves, we would know that we tend to neglect things, often things that we shouldn’t, more often than we realize and more often then we should. We get busy. We get focused on other things. Things that don’t matter in the long run.

Don’t tell me I’m the only one here that does this! I know that I am guilty of this! I get so many thoughts in my head of things that need to be done that I end up being like the dog in the movie Up. A squirrel distracts me.

It’s not that I mean to, it’s not that I have forgotten what needs to be done. I just push things aside for other things. Things that may not be as important and then the important things are waiting on the side line. Or I rush through the things that are necessary so I can move on to the next thing. Like a checklist that needs to bs completed.

One thing I have seen this with and was convicted on that brought this whole post to fruition happened the other day when I was reading the Bible.

Starting in Hebrews 2:1

Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

Now, I’ve read this verse several times. It reminds me to pay attention. To focus. Heed to what I am hearing from the word of God. We can’t do that if we are reading the Bible to just put a checkmark on our daily list of the day. Or to up the days that we have gotten on the Bible app, somehow making us a better person because we have logged onto the Bible app for 235+ days.

If we tell our kids we love them, but never spend time with them. Don’t listen to their hearts. If we treat them like time with them is just something to check off our obligatory list, our relationship won’t get very far and we will become distant. It’s the same way with God. We can’t treat Him like he’s an obligation in our day that we need to check off.

2 Corinthians has a similar verse that I’ve always correlated with that verse in Hebrews 2:1.

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity in Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:3

Just as simple as it is to come to Christ, it is just as easy to drift away if we allow it.

Which then leads me to the verse that convicted me.

How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…

Hebrews 2:3

If we neglect that time that is so desperately needed with our Savior it is way to easy to drift away and therefore forget the incredible salvation that Christ died to give us.

So what can we do?

Be Intentional!

Set aside a specific time to spend in the Word without distractions. Start a Bible plan. Focus on what He wants to say to you.

My pastor has this saying as the Daily Rule of 5.

• 5 minutes in the Word
• 5 minutes in Prayer
• 5 minutes in Worship

I think we all can take 15 minutes out of our busy day to accomplish this. Turn off the TV and take the time to truly seek Him.

The point is to make a plan and be intentional in keeping it. Being intentional with your time with God will keep you focused and mindful of what is important and keep you from neglecting the salvation that has been freely given to you.

It’s not easy. It takes work. It takes discipline. But everything worthwhile does and it’s worth it.