It’s the last day of the year so naturally, I’m thinking about everything that has happened in 2015 (because that’s what Americans do, right?) This past year I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’ve grown more with Christ this year than in the previous 23 years. I’ve learned what it truly means to be a daughter of Christ, and I have the best community of people alongside me to encourage a God centered life along the way. But 2015 has not been the easiest, it actually has been the hardest year yet.
Questions. We all have them. You have probably already asked a few this morning, or maybe you have some that you would like to ask God one day. I found myself asking God “Why me” when I should have been saying “Thank you Father.” If we want a tight relationship with God, we have to be more like Christ, not like other Christians–this is the biggest lesson I have learned. I know that we have to make a choice everyday to be a follower of Christ, a servant to everyone, and to do everything in love.
It’s easy to get into a busy schedule or routine and not make as much time for God as we would like and that is why we have the choice every morning of who we are going to live for–
ourselves?
our job?
finances?
maybe a spouse?
or God?
Convenience and Christianity will never align if you’re living a lukewarm kind of life. Christ also doesn’t care about us being Comfortable. After all, we are not called to be comfortable in our own homes, or stay within the comfort of our own bubbles. I don’t know of any Christians who consciously agree to slack in their walk with the Lord. However, I believe that we all have been guilty of it at some point saying, “Oh, I’ll read the Bible later today,” “I’ve prayed about that a long time ago,” or “I already know that.”
While we may have prayed about something many weeks, months, or years ago that doesn’t mean our Father does not want us to remain fervent in prayer about it. When we first receive a stirring in our hearts to want to know God more, we are usually in a bad place and yearn for God to give us peace and a breakthrough. However, once some of our strongholds are broken reading the Bible can ‘come later.’ This is always something to be aware of as a vessel for the Lord and I have to check myself daily on this. So, here’s a couple of questions I’ve been figuring out lately-
1. How can we be God’s soldiers if we don’t know the tactics and resources of the enemy?
2. How can we remain competent and effective for our Father if we are still holding onto yesterday’s prayers and this morning’s Bible reading?
The Truth Is That We Are All Human
Sure, we have busy schedules, but as soon as we put life before God, we become ineffective. God isn’t overbearing and He allows us to take care of business as long as we have everything in its proper place. “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”-1 Thess 5:16-18
recap:
Convenience and Christianity will never mix if you’re following the crowd.
God does not call us to be Comfortable, He asks us to be obedient.
Oh, and I am eating Chicken (and (almost) all other meats)) now!
Happy New Year, y’all!
