Day 60: Getting Sidetracked

Haman was so worried about getting affirmation from others he did not have a full awareness of himself or his situation. He was looking to his "outer world" so much to fill him up, he couldn't stop and examine his "inner world" and the trouble he was in. We can say he was preoccupied with Mordecai, but really, what it boils down to...is that Haman was preoccupied with fulfilling his own selfish desires SO MUCH that he could not have one moment to examine his own filthy heart. Because of this, he was days away from hanging on his own gallows.

How do I - how do you - spend so much time building gallows for others that we don't realize that is right where we are headed? How much time do I - do you - spend looking for acceptance or affirmation from others before I examine or consider the acceptance from the Lord? How often am I more interested in having others' favor or even others' imperfections before I examine the mess I am in myself? I think THAT was Haman's downfall. Mordecai wouldn't bow down and he let another person's choice and action eat him alive so much that he never stopped to look at who he had become in the process.

Lord, thank you we have the opportunity to practice self-awareness. Thank you that we CAN stop and evaluate where our heart is and where You are. May I never become too preoccupied to be fully aware of my own deficiencies, weaknesses, and needs.