Prone to Wander (Encouragement to Return)

Perhaps you’re like me that, on any given day, your attention is pulled in a hundred different directions. In fact, your mind sometimes feels stuck on the spin cycle of a washing machine!

SO many things compete for our attention AND our affection. Am I right?

There’s a beautiful hymn titled, Come Thou Fount, that was written in the 1700s and contains some of the most honest and profound lyrics I’ve ever heard.

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.

Every time I sing the words “prone to wander,” I can’t help but feel the tug of my own heart chasing after things that will NEVER fulfill.

Wordly comforts

People’s approval

Entertainment

Riches

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.

What stirs in your heart as you read those words? Do you find yourself absorbed in things that distract you from God? Do you feel drawn to things that can never satisfy? A good indication of “wandering” is to ask ourselves what consumes most of our time and what consumes most of our thoughts.

What consumes most of my time?

What consumes most of my thoughts?

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to “Watch over your heart with all diligence,
for from it flow the springs of life.”

Watching over our heart means guarding it against things contrary to the Word of God. It means we avoid destructive controversies that are divisive to the Body of Christ. It means we turn our affections to Jesus and NO other thing.

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.

Let’s return to God today. From whatever distraction has captured our attention, let’s return to Jesus, our First Love!

Gracious God, please forgive us for being consumed with the things of this world. You call us to set our minds on things above, not on earth below. Help us fix our gaze on You. Though we are prone to wander, we are also kept in the fold of Your grace. Thank You for Your amazing grace! Your Spirit leads us in all truth, and in Your truth, we remain. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.

In what ways have you been distracted from the things of God lately? I would love to pray for you! Simply email me at Jennifer@encouragementmama.com.

Grateful to be on this journey with you,

Jennifer

Editor's Picks

Chris Carpenter
The Crossmap Podcast's Top Episodes 0f 2024
For those who might not know, The Crossmap Podcast features inspiring heart-to-heart conversations with Christian newsmakers of the day including authors, experts, pastors, and entertainers on topics that are good for the entire family while honoring your faith-based values.Crossmap managing editor Chris Carpenter engages guests in thought-provoking but light-hearted banter...
5 min readCrossmap Podcast Top Episodes Spiritual Accountability Sharing the Gospel Overcoming Anxiety
Vaneetha Risner
The Manger is Part of the Miracle — Vaneetha Risner
The manger highlights the way God uses our deepest pain, the things we wish were different, the despised and the lowly, to bring him the greatest glory. God’s kingdom is upside down. The last shall be first, the weak shall be strong, and the foolish shall shame the wise. And God incarnate will be la
6 min read
Brenda Seefeldt
Why Teens Aren't Rebelling Anymore - Bravester
I began my writing career having been inspired by this quote back in 1990 from film director John Waters (Cry-Baby, Hairspray) from a backpage article for the special edition Newsweek issue to kick off the last decade before the Twentieth Century. "Sex, drugs and rock and roll all seem so old hat
4 min read
Chris Chu
Finding Light: A Prayer for Hope When Facing a Medical Crisis
Life can often feel like a series of highs and lows, but few moments test our faith and resolve like a medical crisis. Whether it’s a personal diagnosis or a loved one’s illness, these situations can leave us feeling vulnerable, fearful, and overwhelmed. But, even in these darkest moments, there...
4 min read