Sunday Pastor Scott spoke on rest for the second week. And by the end the Holy Spirit led him to speak a third week on rest next week. In his words, "it is too important for us to get this."
Sheesh...after another kick in the pants, I prepare for another. "Rest is more than a stop from working, it is actively seeking God and His rest." Pastor Scott asked us to honestly evaluate our weeks. Are we lazy? Or are we mistakenly believing that we must squeeze every ounce of productivity that we can out of every single moment?
Sometimes I think it is both. I get distracted easily and don't always use my time effectively when I need to, and then end up stressed because I procrastinated. Other times, I end up carrying a burden where I never stop to trust that if something doesn't get done that things will be okay. That God will work it out.
Then I also wondered about my weekend. It was full of time with friends. Friday night I got to go to a high school play to watch a good friend and then spend time playing games after. Saturday during the day, I did some work on my research and some other projects, but then that night, I went with friends to a great dinner and then live music. I often wonder about the value of entertainment. But I really enjoyed that time. I relaxed and was able to put the workload behind me because the people are what really matter in my life. My weekend was topped off with an awesome conversation with a friend who is in China. I felt rejuvenated.
Is that rest? Or is it shucking responsibility? I'm sitting on this verse: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18. I figure whatever is best and rest will come out of that. Whether, I need a kick in the butt to get going, or a hand on the collar to get me to stop. If my focus is on the eternal, God will work it out.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Something Missing
God uses all things for good.
As I have spent the last few months processing the reality of living with muscular dystrophy, God has spoken directly into how that physical condition is representative of the spiritual condition I have often found myself in.
Let me explain first what exactly is going on physically. This is a genetic disorder where the mutation basically makes it so the muscle cell membranes are faulty. What this means is that when muscle tissue breaks down like it usually does with normal use and exercise, it cannot rebuild itself properly and this causes weakening rather than the strengthening effect that normally happens.
Okay folks, I hope you are still following me.
In our walk with Jesus, it sometimes seems like there is something missing too. We work and work and work, but there seems to be no fruit, no growth, and, at times, that we are even going backwards. We get things in our minds, but it doesn't translate into transformation. Why is this? What is missing?
Is it discipline? I don't think so. Is it prayer? I'd be the first one to say there is a lack of prayer but that isn't exactly the answer to this question.
I think it is a Galatians 2:20 heart. We are still fighting to live for ourselves. We don't die so that Jesus can live in us and exert His power through us. We are weak because we don't let Jesus be strong.
When Jesus tells Paul that His grace is sufficient for the trials and daily grind, Paul gets it: " Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest on me."
The something missing is the power and life of Jesus. The troubles and trials will come. Jesus told us they would. The daily grind takes our hearts out. But Jesus has overcome, so must choose to die to myself so that Christ may live and reign. There lies the key to growth and sanctification.
As I have spent the last few months processing the reality of living with muscular dystrophy, God has spoken directly into how that physical condition is representative of the spiritual condition I have often found myself in.
Let me explain first what exactly is going on physically. This is a genetic disorder where the mutation basically makes it so the muscle cell membranes are faulty. What this means is that when muscle tissue breaks down like it usually does with normal use and exercise, it cannot rebuild itself properly and this causes weakening rather than the strengthening effect that normally happens.
Okay folks, I hope you are still following me.
In our walk with Jesus, it sometimes seems like there is something missing too. We work and work and work, but there seems to be no fruit, no growth, and, at times, that we are even going backwards. We get things in our minds, but it doesn't translate into transformation. Why is this? What is missing?
Is it discipline? I don't think so. Is it prayer? I'd be the first one to say there is a lack of prayer but that isn't exactly the answer to this question.
I think it is a Galatians 2:20 heart. We are still fighting to live for ourselves. We don't die so that Jesus can live in us and exert His power through us. We are weak because we don't let Jesus be strong.
When Jesus tells Paul that His grace is sufficient for the trials and daily grind, Paul gets it: " Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest on me."
The something missing is the power and life of Jesus. The troubles and trials will come. Jesus told us they would. The daily grind takes our hearts out. But Jesus has overcome, so must choose to die to myself so that Christ may live and reign. There lies the key to growth and sanctification.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Why "Seek, Fight, Pray"
It's the ache in my chest that puts me on my knees.
It's the joy of refuge
It's that moment when I realize God had been at work all along
It is the call that keeps repeating
It is the desire to see chains break
It's seeing mourning turn into dancing
It is the body I am a part of that rallies to whomever when the call is sounded
It is living my life in worship as I will for all eternity with my Savior
Seek: The treasure is God. He is what my heart longs for. My sinfulness, perverts that desire and I will seek good things as though they are God. Satisfaction is only fully met in Jesus. When I ache, when I long, it is an act of will to seek God. To surrender myself to Him.
Fight: This seeking is not unopposed. Satan would nothing more to keep me from loving and worshipping God. He tries to turn those longings into sin, which put up a barrier between me and God. I fight with the Truth of who God is. I let Jesus fight for my heart. I fight for others because I want them to know too.
Pray: What better place to be than before the throne of God? In prayer, I know and am known. Satan can't use what I have confessed and acknowledged before the throne. I cast myself on God's mercy...
It's the joy of refuge
It's that moment when I realize God had been at work all along
It is the call that keeps repeating
It is the desire to see chains break
It's seeing mourning turn into dancing
It is the body I am a part of that rallies to whomever when the call is sounded
It is living my life in worship as I will for all eternity with my Savior
Seek: The treasure is God. He is what my heart longs for. My sinfulness, perverts that desire and I will seek good things as though they are God. Satisfaction is only fully met in Jesus. When I ache, when I long, it is an act of will to seek God. To surrender myself to Him.
Fight: This seeking is not unopposed. Satan would nothing more to keep me from loving and worshipping God. He tries to turn those longings into sin, which put up a barrier between me and God. I fight with the Truth of who God is. I let Jesus fight for my heart. I fight for others because I want them to know too.
Pray: What better place to be than before the throne of God? In prayer, I know and am known. Satan can't use what I have confessed and acknowledged before the throne. I cast myself on God's mercy...
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