Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to excercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find out that God's spirit is in them- living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completeley obsorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.
Romans 8:5-8
Last week I was so distracted throughout my days. My mind was constantly roaming towards something else; thinking of the future instead of the seconds that were ticking by. But God tells us to live in the now (Matthew 6:34). When I realized what I was doing, it brought me to the question: Why do we get so distracted in our walk with Jesus?
- We try to fill our lives with worldly pleasures, which leaves us with a missing piece that only He can fill.
1 John 5:21 says,
"Dear children,
keep away from anything
that may take God's place
in your hearts."
I think this is a tough concept because this includes every aspect of our lives, just not material things... Often we idolize our families or significant others while God should be the one who comes first. Nothing will set you aback like realizing your parents or friends often take the seat where God should be in your life.
- We don't trust him to fulfill us in the first place.
One of my favorite worship songs talks about just this.
Give Me Faith by Elevation worship says:
Give me faith
to trust what you say,
That You're Good
and Your love is great.
I'm broken inside;
I give you my life.
As humans, we naturally look for other things to fill the void in our hearts. Through depression and anxiety we look towards other things to give us joy, whether that may be people, substances, or something as innocent as a sport or hobby. All of these turn into idols when we but them before God, and they can't satisfy your thirst like God can. In fact, they can't satisfy that thirst at all, so when we look to these idols we often feel even emptier than before. I often find myself praying for forgiveness because I've lost him within the acts of my every day life instead of rejoicing him through everything I do. I think we can all attest to this.
- Our faith is shaken out of fear of surrender.
{In awe of the one who gave it all}
Let's admit it: surrender can be scary! But we have to remember that surrender is not supposed to be an easy thing. Surrender requires sacrifice because we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. We can't see God or touch Him... so here's the sad truth: when we're surrendering to someone we can't tangibly relate with, it's even harder. That's what makes our faith in Him so special. He sacrificed his one and only son for us, so what more could He sacrifice for us? I think it's our turn.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives that we don't make time for Him. But truly, how can we not be devoted to the one who gave everything up for us? The college pastor at my church once said, "If someone jumped in front of a bullet and died to save you, that would be something you'd never forget." So how come we so often forget the one who saved us from eternal damnation? (Not to be harsh or anything...)
Have you ever had a friend that you mistakingly forgot about because of an obligation, another relationship, etc? We rarely actually mean to abandon God, but sometimes it just happens. Usually, that friend in one way or another will remind us "Hey, I'm here!". In the same way, He will remind us of His presence sooner or later. We can't forget that Jesus is our best and most important friend. He is unfailing. He is loyal, merciful, eternal... when no one else is. Not only does He pour His all into us, we must pour into Him as well. The big truth: Friendship works both ways, remember?
If your distractions are taking over your life and your relationship with JC, you need to ask Him to open up your eyes (and more importantly, your heart) daily. Make Him your #1 priority because you are always His. :)
But if God has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking of yourself more than Him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom He dwells- even though you still experience all the limitations of sin- you yourself experience life on God's terms.
Romans 8:9
About the Author
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cotur acing elit. Ut euis eget dolor sit amet congue. Ut vira codo matis. Sed lacia luctus magna ut sodales lorem.
0 comments