I am living comfortably. I've become "okay" with living contrary to what I know God has willed for me. It leaves me in a very dangerous place. Because I'm not constantly moving in His direction, I make myself open and vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy and the ungodly passions and lusts of this world. How foolish can I be?
I recently had an encounter with an issue in my life that was only resulting in damage. The answer to the question 'how will this end?' was God giving me the question of' what does it mean to follow Me?' Ha! God answered me with a question, so that means I need to do some work. In thinking about that question 'what does it mean to follow Jesus?' I was brought to the passage found in Matthew, Mark and Luke where Jesus gives the "3 Simple Ways to Follow Jesus and Have a Happy Life!" You know the verse: "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"(Luke 9:23) Anyone could tell you that those things are not simple, nor do they lead to what the world would call a happy life. This is the verse in which I was led to in response to God's response to my question. Well, how exactly does that play out in life?
Before delving into what Jesus means here, I need to first become "not okay" with living contrary to what I know He has willed for me. This means getting uncomfortable. This first action (yes, action) may very well be the most excruciatingly painful action of life. Why? No one likes to be uncomfortable. And the thought of moving from comfortableness to uncomfortableness is completely the opposite mindset that we grow up with. So much of the world operates with the intentions of becoming more and more comfortable, and we are consciously and subconsciously affected by it. To take steps away from living in this "Christian comfort zone," one must immerse himself in Jesus. What does that mean? It means giving Jesus all the time you have. Instead of robbing intimate time with Him in order to do what we selfishly desire, we need to make intimate times with Him. This is a priority. Contrary to letting your friends, family, the world, and maybe even your church influence you, let your Maker influence you. Let God determine your path, your actions, and your thoughts. In allowing this, you will be "not okay" with living contrary to what you know He has willed for you. Being "not okay" in what used to be "okay" results in what used to be comfortable to what's now uncomfortable. Long story short, your new "comfortable" is under God's control. Maybe it sounds easy, but as I've said, the transition is painful - but completely worth it. Take time to immerse yourself in Jesus - letting Him determine your path by giving Him everything.
Part II will consist of looking at the passage in Matthew, Mark and Luke, where Jesus really gets to the heart of the question: what does it mean to follow Jesus?
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Waffle Wednesday
I love waffles. One of my favourite things to do when I'm incredibly hungry is to cook a batch of waffles. There's something about them that just get to me, you know? The look of them, the smell, the taste, it all is so fulfilling! Yet, one time when I was making them I made a HUGE mistake. All was going well at first. I mixed all the dry ingredients, mixed all the wet ingerdients, mixed them together, and started cooking. Suddenly, when I opened the lid of the waffle maker, my waffle was unusually dark! I thought 'What's going on here!' Then I figured it out. I ran to the cupboard and looked at the flour I used. Whole wheat... Dang! They were significantly less tasty then my other waffle wonders. I couldn't believe it! All that work for nothing! I had to really soak them in syrup to make them taste alright.
All that said, I have something very important to say. I just got back from having coffee (and tea) with a good friend of mine. We talked about the usual - where we see ourselves in the future, and how each other were doing - and then we started talking about having a constant awareness of God. We, as Christians, aren't supposed to look like the world. I think many Christians can say that that's something they struggle with - at least the Christians in more wealthy countries. We go to movies, hang out with friends, spend time on the internet, make money, go to church on Sundays, etc. What do non-Christians do? They go to movies, hang out with friends, spend time on the internet, make money, etc. Wow! Okay, so it's not bad doing these things, yet why are we doing these things? Are we doing them to build each other up and to grow in our relationship with God? I think we do them for our personal enjoyment. I'm not at all saying it's wrong to do these things, but it just seems like God has so much more for us. And I think it's true to say that when we regularly (even religiously) take part in these things, it's much easier for us to be led astray. Maybe not as extreme as being led astray, but not being open to let God do His work in your life. I don't know about you, but I really want and need God to work in my life!
So how do we get to a place where we're open for God to work in our lives? Well, I think it comes down to having a constant awareness of Him. If we live our daily lives with always knowing and trusting that God's right there with us, things will drastically change. Think about it. Will it sit right in your heart if you know God's right beside you and you're about to watch an 18a comedy at the theatre? Will it sit right in your heart when you're zipping past people on the freeway and God's in the passengers seat? Will it sit right in your heart when you're judging people's facebook photos and God's looking and saying "these are My beautiful children."? I don't know if this is something that you struggle with, but it's definitely something that's on my mind. I'm sick of living exactly like the world. Oh yeah, I go to church. That's two hours - three hours at the most a week. And I spend how long on the internet a day? Hmm something's off here.
I don't mean to sound too harsh, but I do mean to sound a bit harsh. If I pull myself together and truly believe that God's constantly with me, then I know that I will be in a state where God can move within me. I understand that God's completely sovereign and can do anything, but we aren't. We have a choice when God asks us to talk with that stranger. We can say 'Here I am God, I'm ready' or 'No thanks God. I'll look like an idiot.' God's with me as I'm writing this, and He's with you as you're reading it. He wants you and I to be ready so that when He talks, we can listen and speak. Let's no longer be humans of the world, but Christians in the world. My flesh doesn't want to do it, but my heart is willing to be open for God at all times.
As I finish my waffles and this post, I prepare to spend time with Him and in His Word. I will devote my mind to Him. I will be constantly aware of Him. Let's do it.
All that said, I have something very important to say. I just got back from having coffee (and tea) with a good friend of mine. We talked about the usual - where we see ourselves in the future, and how each other were doing - and then we started talking about having a constant awareness of God. We, as Christians, aren't supposed to look like the world. I think many Christians can say that that's something they struggle with - at least the Christians in more wealthy countries. We go to movies, hang out with friends, spend time on the internet, make money, go to church on Sundays, etc. What do non-Christians do? They go to movies, hang out with friends, spend time on the internet, make money, etc. Wow! Okay, so it's not bad doing these things, yet why are we doing these things? Are we doing them to build each other up and to grow in our relationship with God? I think we do them for our personal enjoyment. I'm not at all saying it's wrong to do these things, but it just seems like God has so much more for us. And I think it's true to say that when we regularly (even religiously) take part in these things, it's much easier for us to be led astray. Maybe not as extreme as being led astray, but not being open to let God do His work in your life. I don't know about you, but I really want and need God to work in my life!
So how do we get to a place where we're open for God to work in our lives? Well, I think it comes down to having a constant awareness of Him. If we live our daily lives with always knowing and trusting that God's right there with us, things will drastically change. Think about it. Will it sit right in your heart if you know God's right beside you and you're about to watch an 18a comedy at the theatre? Will it sit right in your heart when you're zipping past people on the freeway and God's in the passengers seat? Will it sit right in your heart when you're judging people's facebook photos and God's looking and saying "these are My beautiful children."? I don't know if this is something that you struggle with, but it's definitely something that's on my mind. I'm sick of living exactly like the world. Oh yeah, I go to church. That's two hours - three hours at the most a week. And I spend how long on the internet a day? Hmm something's off here.
I don't mean to sound too harsh, but I do mean to sound a bit harsh. If I pull myself together and truly believe that God's constantly with me, then I know that I will be in a state where God can move within me. I understand that God's completely sovereign and can do anything, but we aren't. We have a choice when God asks us to talk with that stranger. We can say 'Here I am God, I'm ready' or 'No thanks God. I'll look like an idiot.' God's with me as I'm writing this, and He's with you as you're reading it. He wants you and I to be ready so that when He talks, we can listen and speak. Let's no longer be humans of the world, but Christians in the world. My flesh doesn't want to do it, but my heart is willing to be open for God at all times.
As I finish my waffles and this post, I prepare to spend time with Him and in His Word. I will devote my mind to Him. I will be constantly aware of Him. Let's do it.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Why?
I am incredibly blessed. There have been times, like now, when I stop and think of how blessed I truly am. God has given me so much. I have a loving family (both biological and spiritual), a job, awesome friends, an education, a clear calling on my life, and so much more. It's at times like these when I ask why?
It's easy for me to forget that I have so much. There are many times in my life when I'll wish for more than what I have. It's a sad thought to know that I probably spend more time thinking of how I need more, than praising God for all that He's blessed me with. I think I am true to say that a lot of people have this same problem. Problem? I think it's more that just a problem. Can you imagine what life would be like if we were content with what we have? It would be a beautiful life. Being lifted and free from the pit of "want" would change the way we live. I want to get there. I want to live in freedom.
I just finished watching a short documentary on slavery. Yes, slavery. This documentary reported that 27 million people are in slavery today. 27 million. It's not just "hollywood" slavery either, but all kinds of slavery, as deep and dark as sexual slavery. It was watching this documentary that sparked me to write this blog. I thank God for people that spend their own time/energy/money to raise up issues that so many people don't realize are even a reality.
So, why? Why am I so blessed when there's a man my age in India who's being forced to work for 18 hour days? Why God, why? The world is corrupted and dark. The disease of sin has made it's way into every corner. Thank God that there's a way out of it. Thank God for Jesus Christ. Thank God for the freedom and love that pours out of His hands on His children.
I pray that my why? will keep me in a state of worship and devotion to Him. I may never know why, but it doesn't matter. I'm going to be a light in this world either way. My life, my journey, will be dedicated to loving God and others.
It's easy for me to forget that I have so much. There are many times in my life when I'll wish for more than what I have. It's a sad thought to know that I probably spend more time thinking of how I need more, than praising God for all that He's blessed me with. I think I am true to say that a lot of people have this same problem. Problem? I think it's more that just a problem. Can you imagine what life would be like if we were content with what we have? It would be a beautiful life. Being lifted and free from the pit of "want" would change the way we live. I want to get there. I want to live in freedom.
I just finished watching a short documentary on slavery. Yes, slavery. This documentary reported that 27 million people are in slavery today. 27 million. It's not just "hollywood" slavery either, but all kinds of slavery, as deep and dark as sexual slavery. It was watching this documentary that sparked me to write this blog. I thank God for people that spend their own time/energy/money to raise up issues that so many people don't realize are even a reality.
So, why? Why am I so blessed when there's a man my age in India who's being forced to work for 18 hour days? Why God, why? The world is corrupted and dark. The disease of sin has made it's way into every corner. Thank God that there's a way out of it. Thank God for Jesus Christ. Thank God for the freedom and love that pours out of His hands on His children.
I pray that my why? will keep me in a state of worship and devotion to Him. I may never know why, but it doesn't matter. I'm going to be a light in this world either way. My life, my journey, will be dedicated to loving God and others.
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