For a Better Life

       Lack of prayer is the biggest obstacle to creating the life we desire.

       And me, I'm guilty as hell.

       Charles Spurgeon, the famous English minister (who at one time preached at 5 different churches on Sundays, riding from one to the next on horseback), noted for his 16-hour workdays, declared that he regularly spent 3 or 4 hours a day in prayer.  His astonished interviewer asked him how he managed to fit that in and still get done all that he did each day.  Spurgeon explained that it was his daily prayer time that enabled him to accomplish all the other myriad tasks he attended to.

       Me, I have trouble squeezing in two minutes for reading a daily devotional - even though I'm always grateful, after the fact, that I took the time.

       Here's the thing - God is the Creator of Life.  He's the only one who really knows how this Life thing works.  So why would we spend hours each week talking to our just-as-lost-as-we-are friends about our problems, our pains, our wishes and desires...yet neglect to spend more than a few minutes talking with the ultimate Expert, the One who can genuinely and unfailingly guide us along the rocky paths of our lives?

       Well, 'cause we're stupid. :)  And stubborn.

       I'll admit, talking with God isn't always easy.  Hearing his voice isn't always simple.  But it's worth the time and effort.  "Show me your ways, Lord, and teach me your paths, for my hope is in You, and nowhere else.  You alone are the Lord."

        Here's the thing.  God is the only "person" out there who is genuinely rooting for us to "win" at this life thing, all day long, every day of our lives.