“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” Matthew 6:7
Does any of this sound familiar? A document or statement is needed, that is of the utmost importance at that moment. While searching for that one piece of paper, what is encountered? A heap of mail or a drawer that is so filled, it is overwhelming. I must admit, as organized as I may think I am, I do it all the time. Put it here and I’ll get to it later; put it there and I’ll take care of that tomorrow. Before I know it, I am on to other things and it is completely forgotten about. . . . until I need something. Then I am faced with sorting through lots of unnecessary pieces of information, all because it wasn’t attended to when I should have. And no matter how many organizational tips I’ve followed or how many times I revamp things and have a “place for everything,” still at some point another pile accrues somewhere! Why do we do this?
What about all the other stuff that gets heaped up too: negative thoughts; the “to do list;” disappointments; things we know we’ll never use again, that could be used by someone else; unmet expectations of others; to name a few. (And what about what we heap on others as well!) How much easier life would be if we could simply pay attention to what is necessary at the moment, simply say what has to be said, simply do what has to be done. Oh how simple life would be!
Perhaps this Scripture passage, Jesus is alluding to that tendency we have to either put off, or heap on to a fault. So often I’ve heard, ‘Less is more!’ It certainly holds true, in my case anyway. And it’s not just accruing things! Sometimes in conversations, to get a point across I belabor it, when suddenly I realize that the other person has shut down. God does not shut down on us. Rather He wants us to know that we do not have to heap anything upon anyone or any place; and empty words mean nothing to Him. What is in our hearts, He clearly knows.
Thank you for always listening to us, our God! Help us stop and reconsider whenever we are about to heap up unnecessarily.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson