I recently just came back from a cruise in the Caribbean .As we left the port
the Captain said something that stuck with me ,he said ; “ We are leaving the
world behind “.
 
My friend Hugo and I saw the world and it’s tall city buildings on the horizon
as we sailed out to the open sea .It also reminded me of another scripture ; And
the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God
abides forever. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves.
,..{ 1 John 2;17-}
 
So as we left the world behind we turned off our cell phones ,we had no t.v ,no
computer , no contact with the world for a week and the city disappeared from
our view .All you could see as far as the east is from the west and the north
from the south was water and more water as we were isolated from the world  .We
absolutely did nothing for 5 days .We spoke with no one on our cell phones , we
watched no T.V. , and we never saw a computer .But as we were “Leaving the world
behind “ many took the world with them .Many had the world in them and could not
resist talking on their cell phones , getting on a computer ,or seeking to be
entertained  .As some of you know there are many events and entertainment on a
cruise ship .Many were watching their watch running from one event to the next
seeking to be entertained or indulging in alcohol .Some were still with their
I-pods just walking around .In their Restlessness they could not just “Be still”
and
enjoy the beautiful sky , the ocean , the stars , the moon or the sunset .They
were so preoccupied with the things of the world , they could not see God’s
beauty all around them .The world was in them and they could not “Be still “
..Many of us need to leave the world behind for a week ,to take a break from it
all .You don’t need to go on a cruise  .You can be in a park , a forest , a
garden , a beach , a place where God’s creation is all around you .A place where
it’s quiet ,a place away from the crowds ,away from the world itself and
everything in it .
 
Some of us are getting attached to things that disrupt our peace ,and our
relationship with God suffers. We are looking at the clock , deadlines to meet
,places to go ,texting and talking on our cells 24/7 watching the hour for the
next event , and we have become restless .The bible says ;
Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of
them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will
pass away. In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this
life.{ 1 Corinthians  7;31-32 nlt }
 
It’s easy to become attached to things of this world .To be preoccupied with all
the technology ,the knowledge on the internet , entertainment ,music , sports
,hobbies ,etc ,etc and slowly the world  gets  in you  and like those on the
cruise ship. It doesn’t matter where they are  at ,even in the middle of the
ocean .They bring the world with them because it’s in them .So we must take time
to reflect ,meditate , examine ourselves and just get away .
And He {Jesus } said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and
rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have
time to eat.{Mark 6;31 }
Seek out a deserted place by yourself with God and listen ,observe your
surroundings ,look at creation or just sit in a quiet place to have a
conversation with God .
Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you
set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven..{Proverbs 23;4 -5}
Do not let riches be your goal in life .Take a vacation ! use your time off to
relax and seek the Lord . “Doing less is often doing more as we sit at the feet
of the Lord “
 
.For he will speak a word ; Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
"This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever
you turn to the left.{Isaiah 30;21 }God promises to guide you and lead you if
you would only take  time to listen .To get away ,to be alone with him so that
he may guide you into his beautiful plans for your life. But do you have
understanding ? or is too much of the world already in you?...Devotion by 
Fabian




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