Precision Living

There it was on the counter, three containers of milk, a bottle of allergy medicine, and a stick of deodorant for my husband, a testimony to God’s faithfulness, His provision. Oh and conviction for sin in my life. Seriously? How could something so mundane as what was on my counter SCREAM God is faithful, He provides, and I am a sinner?

Earlier that morning I had started my mental list. Milk…we don’t have enough to make it through the weekend. Can I get by with only milk? I silently mused. At some point my husband reminded me that he needed deodorant and allergy medicine. So after my morning routine, I ran to the store to get the needed items. I had decided this would be a precision trip. In, out, get what I need and gone. However I got distracted as I looked to find deodorant, I found a razor for me, body wash for my child, and at the dairy case, I found creamer for my coffee. All things I would use, but didn’t “need” at the moment.

Satisfied I had everything I needed, I headed to the cash register. After I place my items on the conveyor belt, the checker announces she can only accept cash or check. Their machines are down. Why didn’t she tell me BEFORE I put my items on the conveyor belt. I don’t have time for this, I silently rage. Then God quiets my soul. So I begin to run through the what-am-I-going-to-do scenarios in my mind. Finally, I actually look in my wallet. Not enough for everything, but maybe…So she rings me up. Not, enough…Take the creamer off…Take the razor off…and the body wash…Still not enough…Take one of the milks…Stop! I have enough and one dollar left over! YEA God!

I didn’t realize it until I got home, but there on the counter were the things I went to the store for. That and nothing more. God provided the right amount of money for me to get the exact things He sent me to get, nothing more, nothing less. Just milk, deodorant, and allergy medicine.

How often do we get distracted in our daily lives? Many things distract us, good things like ministries, volunteer opportunities, mission trips. However, God wants us to live precision lives. Lives dedicated to doing what He has gifted us to do. Things He has given us special provision to do. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has a perfect plan, a precision plan. He wants us to ONLY pick up milk, deodorant, and allergy medicine. No more, no less.

Father God, thank You for having things prepared for us to do. Forgive us for being distracted by good things that are not Your best things for us. Lord help us to live precision lives, serving others with the gifts and provision You have given us. Give us wisdom and discernment to know what precision things You have for us to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What’s on your precision life list? Please share.