Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Some of you will recognize that as a line from the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” It expresses something true and unflattering about us. We have wandering hearts.
You may have noticed that I’ve taken a break from blogging. That’s because my priorities had gotten skewed (one of the many things that can happen when your heart wanders). In focusing too much on blogging, I was neglecting people and things that are much more important than a blog could ever be. I’m ashamed to have to admit that, but it’s true.
I plan to continue thinking and writing, but I’ll blog less frequently than before. I hope by the grace of God to offer enough substance (and honesty) to make sticking around worth your while.
Here’s the rest of the verse that the title of this post was taken from. It’s my prayer.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
Barry Wallace
theoparadox
pijohnson
That is one of my favorite hymns, because of that very acknowledgement. It is so true of me, and it comforts me to confess it to the Lord in song.
As far as blogging goes, that’s why my posts tend to come in fits and starts. I have to attend to “real life”, or at least the folks I’m truly responsible for and to in the sight of God. There’s family, church, work, local friends, e-mail friends, with blogging tagging along at the end, or so it should be. It’s easy to get drawn into the blogosphere to the neglect of more pressing things. There is a sense in which it falls more into the realm of entertainment even though it can be much richer and more fruitful than sitting parked in front of the television. I, too, have to keep a watch on my computer habits.
Barry,
Good for you! Blogging brings with it many perils for the redeemed heart. Sometimes sin “easily entangles” us, even as we seek to bless others. But your confession and obedience to God’s direction are inspiring. You’re giving the rest of us pause for thought and an opportunity for a heart check. Thanks, and I look forward to your less frequent but just as worthwhile posts in the future – so long as God wills.
Grace & peace,
Derek
Good idea to take a break–or at least slow down. I aim for once post each week myself. Sometimes I get that. Sometimes more. But I try to keep it all joy, you know?
And I LOVE this song. We sang it this Sunday.
Laurie, Derek, and Marcus,
It’s always as difficult as it is absolutely essential for me to recognize my sin and deal with it appropriately. That’s what I’m trying to do. Thanks for your encouragement.
I think every blogger goes through that “too much” time. Well, at least I did. I admire your determination to face it head on.
Hey thanks for raising this Barry.Its funny, I have been tinkering with the idea of blogging for over a year now, spending time checking out and reading almost a dozen blogsites, as you would a magazine Repeatedly I find myself coming back to WordPress. I like the layout and the ‘tone’ of it a bit better than some of the others.I havent started blogging for two reasons. One is the subbject matter of your post here Barry. I worry I could get to locked in it.; spend too much time etc Secondly I wonder about weather to choose a Christian blog host or WordPress. Obviously hundreds of Christians blog on secular sites. What do you see as the principle advantage of blogging as a Christian on WordPress?
L.L.,
Thanks for the encouragement.
Brian,
The danger of over focusing on blogging and neglecting more important things is frightfully real.
As far as choosing a host is concerned, I’m just a novice, so I’m sure I’m not the best person to give any advice. For whatever it’s worth, I would lean toward WordPress or Blogger over a Christian blog host, simply because I think there may be more opportunities to interact with non-believers.
Word…I too have a problem with this. The bottom line is that I like my name in lights…:(
Barry:
I hear you on balance. As you have seen and commented on my blog, it is an issue I think we both are working through.
Cut back, but do not stop. I love reading you brother!
I’ve come through the blogapalooza 2009 to see your weak point of the year… and I’m still right there with you. I took a break in October for a similar reason.
And I’ve been thinking about what needs to be cut from my life so I’m focused on a calling rather than chasing recognition.
Marcus,
Good to hear from you again, and I appreciate your understanding words. I don’t feel like I’ve achieved the proper balance yet, but I’m still trying. I’m not sure where that will lead me.