How much do you want it ...

We can go to the movies, or merely turn on our televisions to see the extremes that people will go too to get what they want. Whether that be power (climbing the corporate ladder, or some other form of leading/leadership, recognition and so on), wealth (the accumulation of funds property, goods, etc.), popularity and fame, (or some other definition of success, etc). Some of it might be attributed to much hard work, long hours, the expending of much energy. For others it is through ruthless means, cutting corners, illegal means, etc.

Interestingly, I am aware that there are times when as Christians, we can attempt short cuts to obtain the experience or positioning we desire in life with Christ. We might think a few minutes here and there doing good things will do it. A quick prayer every now and again will mean we have prayed. The occasional verse from the Scriptures. Or it might be the fact that we play church - be seen doing what appears on the surface to be "right" whilst living another life outside of the eyes of those who see us in the church circles.

Peter writes:

1 Peter 2:2-3 (New Living Translation)

2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk

so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.

Cry out for this nourishment,

3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

1 Peter 2:2-3 (The Message)

You've had a taste of God.

Now, like infants at the breast,

drink deep of God's pure kindness.

Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God.

 

You may recall a child suckling at the breast, in fact the best picture for me, is thinking of a calf and the persistence to suckle and obtain more and more and more of it's mothers milk - the craving is so strong. Just think about that a moment (yes, literally pause) -

 

• Is that your experience as you seek after the things of God?
• Do you have that sort of intensity for the Spirit of God in your life?
• Do you ensure that you don't do without God's Word regularly (daily, after all isn't that how you would generally otherwise feed)?
• How about prayer?
• And Holy Spirit produced fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5: 22)?

Like Peter, I would reckon you have had a taste, don't you want much, much more - to drink deep? And here is the purpose - Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God.

This is my desire, to honour You, Lord with all my heart, to worship You - and the best way I can see to do this is to crave after, pursue intensely the things that are of You - help me to keep on track, and guard me from the distractions around me Lord.

Stick at it ...

What a lesson I am reminded of today. As the Lord yet again brings to the forefront of my attention the need to acknowledge the change that has taken place in my life, by turning away from stuff of the past that has entangled me, distracted me, weighed heavy upon me.

Join me in looking at these verses:

Romans 6:13 (The Message)

12-14 That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God.

One of the goals I had in establishing this BLOG was that I would stick at it long enough that it might be formed into a new habit, a new pattern would form in my life. Something that I believe is healthy and of assistance to my growth. And that  has begun. Yet it is still a journey.  However, I am reminded that unless we continue in this way, attentive to the discipline, old habits will rise to the surface with a vengeance. It would be so easy to get caught in a television program and allow it to be a distraction. Or maybe to arrange lots of times out with other people. Some things can even appear innocent on the surface, but if they replace the discipline we are trying to form, they are not helpful at all.

 

I love this expression, "throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full time ..." It isn't always easy. It can be challenging. It can take some effort. It can cost us.

 

Are you willing to stick at it?

 

"Lord, again I realise just how easy it is for distractions to take me off course and away from the plan You have for me. The disciplines You desire are not easy to form, they can come at a cost, yes, beneficial in the end, but difficult along the way at times. Please assist me to stick at it and to lean on You in the times when the distractions are greatest."