The Other Things Fall Away

A wise man once made the point that we, "shouldn't worry about cussing or stealing or the 'little sins', but be concerned about your walk with God. When you're right with God, those other things fall away." I paraphrased of course, and I'm awfully sorry, Garry, if that's not what exactly what you said and if this isn't what you meant by it, but this is definitely what I heard: concern for our sins isn't a bad thing, but often we become so focused on those things that we ignore God. We forget about the thing that keeps our hands clean by worrying about the dirt. We try to pick our way through sin rather than stepping above it. Following rules isn't bad, but being consumed by them instead of by being consumed by God isn't good, either. A commitment to a rule fades much quicker than a commitment to God. And when we stop following the rules, do the rules come after us? No. When we break the law are we shown grace by whatever law enforcement? No. But here's the kicker: when we stop following God, does God come after us? Yes. When we break God's laws are we shown grace by God? Yes.

Colossians 2:20b-23 says, "...why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 'Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!'? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self- denial and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires."

Proverbs 6:20

What makes us so unwilling to listen to God? Is it arrogance? fear? sheer stupidity? embarrassment? For me it comes down to a lack of faith (and maybe a lot of arrogance). Proverbs 6:20 says, "Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. God is a benevolent master who only wants us to do well. By listening and following His commands, we will do just that. Being in a situation where we don't/can't trust the person we are relying on is downright miserable. If we're constantly doubting God, we won't be able to enjoy Him; we won't be able to walk with Him. We should pray for a willing spirit; a boldness to follow Him unquestioningly, unflinchingly, without looking back to what you've left behind. Ask that He opens your heart to His voice.

Determined or Stubborn?

When I was younger, my family had a swing set complete with monkey bars, a slide, a couple swings and a glider. A glider is sort of like a see- saw but you don't go up and down so much as you glide back and forth.  It's meant for two small kids and has two vertical, parallel bars about that were six inches apart. I was, and still am, a stubborn kid. Not only am I stubborn, I also have a touch of ADD so I tend to do things without thinking them through. Remember this, it's an important part of my story.

One day, when I was about four years old, I was playing on the swing set by myself. We live out in the country and had big dogs that kept away wild animals; I promise my parents aren't negligent. I really don't remember much about that day, but I imagine I looked at those bars on the glider and thought, "I bet my head would fit through those." And it most certainly did. In fact, my head fit so well, it didn't want to come back out. I panicked. I'm sure I struggled with it for a while, couldn't get my head out, really started panic, thought I was going to die and started crying and screaming for my mom. I don't remember how I got out, but I did. I also don't remember how much time passed before I did it again, but sure enough, some time later I began eying those bars again. I have a deep seated need to conquer something that has once bested me. My four year old mind might have thought something like, "Glider bars, you may have won the first round, but this time I'm putting my head between you and it's coming out by my own power." I'm ashamed to say that had I thought that, it would've been a lie. I'm not sure how many times I did this (my sister says I did this several times) or if I ever conquered the glider bars. I only remember doing it twice. Knowing me, I probably did do it several times. So tell me, was I being stubborn or was I just determined? How many times have you gotten your head "stuck between the bars"?

"Don't You see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient god is with you?... But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself... He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers." Romans 2:4, 5, 7

Something nice to end a Monday with

"... may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." -Ephesians 3:18,19

More of James

I want so many things. I want a brand new Jeep Rubicon and really long hair right now, I want  to graduate college just a few years early and to be able to run forever and not get winded, so many really important things. So, why don't I have them? Well, aside from being just short of impossible, I don't really pray for these things; they all just seem a little petty. Plus, I pray for so many actually important things and I don't get those! It seems like God tells us that if we ask, we shall receive. I'm askin', but I'm not receivin'! It's a little discouraging. So many people wonder why God doesn't answer their prayers. I always chalked it up to timing. Maybe God doesn't want me to have what I've been asking for right now. He does know best.

I was reading James a few days ago and I came across a verse that really hit a nerve: "You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong- you want only what will give you pleasure" (James 4:3). I was so amazed at how eerily accurate that verse is. I was so impressed by it, I not only underlined, I drew a little line to the margins and wrote "ME!". So often I ask God to get me through the day without having to do this or see that person. I'm not focused on what God wants me to do; I'm just worried about doing what I want to do and not being bothered when I'm doing it. I lose sight of the important things, I don't have God's will on my mind and I certainly don't want to be bothered at 4:55 pm on Friday to do what God wants me to do. I've realized that it's hard to be focused on God when you're too busy worrying about yourself.

Cleanliness really is next to Godliness

"Come close to God and God will come close to you. Clean your hands you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." James 4:8
Today I read a friend's blog entry that focused on living a life that revolves around God. Many people have good intentions; they want to make the world a better place to live in by giving to charities, helping out a neighbor and just by doing the right thing everyday. It's sad to think that so many of them are doing it all for naught. Unless they are doing these things in God's name, their endeavors will prove to be fruitless. It is our duty then to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

Worry (WUR-ee), (n,v), def: 1) a sorry excuse for an emotion (noun); 2) a lousy way to waste time (verb)

It's funny how we focus on the silliest things sometimes. I'm guilty of worrying more about what kind of drink I'll get at Sonic on my next Sonic run than what I can do for God that particular day. I'm forever focused on the most paltry things in life, like whether or not I'll make it home in time to catch the latest episode of Psych, or what this person thought of my shirt or what that person thought of my shoes. Sometimes I can trick myself into thinking that some things (like midterms or next month's budget) are actually worth the energy and time I waste  when I worry over them. Really, if we focus more on God and less on the little things (and yes, the "big" things), God will provide for us in the most amazing ways.

"For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." -2 Corinthians 4:17, 18

"So don't worry about these things... These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all you needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously and He will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." -Matthew 6:31-34