today, as i iprayed to god for peace and calm, i was given this phrase "dedication to discover". what i took from this is that change is not easy. growth is not easy (or fun)! however, if i commit myself fully to god and focus on him above all else, i will come to fully know him. i have to "dedicate" myself to him in order to "discover" him. how easy it is to dedicate myself to everything else: studies, relationships, health, and so on. yet, to find the same drive, focus, and determination to know god is so much more difficult. it's so easy for distracting thoughts or things on my "to do" list to creep their way into my time with the lord. it's so easy to get overwhelmed by the bible, trying to intellectualize its every word. my overacheiving and perfectionist personality beat me down when i don't spend "enough" time with god, or read "enough" of the bible, or do "enough" of the "right" things. however, i know that god is smiling on me today… as i release the grip of control, turn myself over to the lord, and make a conscious effort to live for him, i am walking in the way of repentance.
tonight in reading the word, i came to this scripture: (matt 3:2) …"repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." my study bible went on to say something really revolutionary for me about repentance…repentance is not merely a change of mind but a radical change in one's life as a whole that especially involves forsaking sin and turning or returning to god.
how many times do we talk the talk & not walk the walk? i'm as guilty of it as the next. in order to live for god and really repent, we have to be christ-like, not just think christ-like. it is not an easy thing to do! as i spoke to a friend tonight, they made a very good point. if stepping out on faith or living for god were easy to do… everybody would be doing it! all i can say to that is… the world sure would be a better place if they would!
