A while back, someone challenged me in a unique way. They urged me to make sure that my first thought in the morning was focused on the Lord. Before I reviewed my calendar, before I spoke to friends or loved ones, before I read the news, before ANTHING, they encouraged me to focus on HIM!

What great advice.

Along those same lines, is a story in the Old Testament. Consider the events of II Samuel 6. David wants to move the ark into Jerusalem. His first effort reflected good intentions. He used chosen men and a new cart. He had the grandsons of the guardian of the ark (Abinadab) guide that cart. All great intentions, but not according to the scripture (Num. 7:9). And when the cart was jostled and it looked like the ark might fall, Uzzah reached out to stabilize it. But he should not have touched the ark and God struck him down.

About three months later, David was ready to try again. And this time, he followed the instructions given. He did not use a cart, instead the priests carried the ark on poles. And II Samuel 6:13 seems to imply that those carrying the ark stopped every six steps and sacrificed a bull and a calf.

Every six steps, the men of God paused to make sure that their focus was on HIM. There was a joyful celebration that included dancing, singing and sacrifices. There was a reverent joy spread throughout the trip. Yahweh was at the center of their thinking.

They paused every six steps.

That is the challenge this week for you and me. In the midst of a busy world and a busy life, we too ought to stop every six steps and turn our attention to HIM. We ought to regularly break out in enthusiastic worship.

Now, if we are driving, we can’t stop and dance. And offering sacrifices in our back yards might be too much. But we can sing and worship with reverence and respect. We can purposefully put HIM centerstage. We can direct our minds and hearts toward heaven and include HIM in every aspect of our day.

So, this week, every six steps let’s stop and put HIM first.