The Lord has been really dealing with me lately concerning the things I allow into my life. I have started asking myself the question, "Is what I'm doing drawing me closer to Jesus, or is it pulling me further away from Jesus?" What we do and choose in our lives will have one affect or the other. Everything can be done to glorify our Father in heaven. It's a matter of choice on our part. I have recently attempted to give up watching TV at night. This has been a bad habit of mine for quite some time. I've gone back and forth. Sometimes, especially after "life changing" experiences such as Camp and revival, I will commit to stop indulging in TV watching. However, slowly, but surely, the temptation seizes me and I renig. God has revealed something to me in recent days. Satan will use anything in his power to make us totally ineffective for God. He can decieve us with things that seem "good and harmless". Anything that will detract us from WHOLLY serving Christ is within his reach. Choosing Christ is always the BEST choice. Everything else pales by comparison.
I have started praying, daily, for God to give me a passion for 4 things:
- Jesus
- God's Holy Word
- Prayer
- Lost Souls
Hear what I'm saying. I'm praying for these things because I don't have them. I have allowed myself to be "duped" into thinking it's okay to let things of the world in. It's not okay. Does this seem radical? Probably. I hate to sound cliche, but WWJD? "He must increase, but I must decrease", right? (John 3:30)
6 comments:
I used to have a bumper sticker with: me < God. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Thanks for sharing
Thought provoking post. TV is not so much an issue, but there are a dozen other 'idols' that I place up there with God, if not ahead of Him. As I strive to serve Him wholly, I can quickly become legalistic and judgemental. I forget too easily that nothing I have done has warrented His grace, but instead I am His only because He sought me.
I agree, Josh. There is a fine line between legalism and wholly serving Christ. It can only be defined by His wisdom increasing in us as HE chooses to reveal it. I have felt the odd looks from people as I have stated my desire for this change to take place in me. It's extreme. It's radical, but I know if I was the one doing the choosing I would choose the world everytime. It's only Christ in me that draws me to Him. He in me chooses Him.
I can relate - the desire to thirst more for the Lord, to be wholly consumed by and for him versus the distractions of life. Those distractions seem so little, non-threatening when they start and then they build and build. It only takes one small thing to lead you to being ineffective. When I commit to keeping the TV off in the evenings, I am much better wife, friend, daughter...etc. There is time for a clean house, for a card of support to a friend, for dedicated and fulfilling quiet time. But then that hard day comes along, I've been beaten down during the day and I flop on the couch and grab the remote....it takes the next "life changing" experience to kick me in the pants to action.
Thank you, Gloria. I appreciate your comment. I agree wholeheartedly!
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