Today in this little blog post, I’m going to be talking to a certain type of Christian. And it’s hard to explain what I mean by ‘type’. All those who recognize a time in their life where they surrendered and repented to God of their sin, are Christians-but I think I could categorize us into different situations.
The type of people I want to address today are people like me. I am a Christian. Surrendered in 5th grade at camp. Doing my best to follow Jesus.
BUT I STRUGGLE!
I can cite certain points in my life where I am doing great reading my Bible, and praying-but also times when I’m a Sunday-Only Christian.
I seriously hate being in a rut like that. It’s all my fault, and I really want to be “close” with God; I know what I should be doing, but I can’t make myself do it!
I want you to know that if you feel desperate and hopeless, you are SO not alone. Romans has a passage that describes that empty feeling in words that I can’t.
“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Romans 7:21-25
Just to make sure you understood that, we are at war with our flesh! The good thing is the battle is won, and there is a solution to our problem: Jesus.
Every day we have a chance to conquer the flesh and follow Jesus. But it is our choice. We have to choose to live a more abundant life. And sometimes it can be difficult to choose. When I wake up, I automatically turn off my alarm and turn to social media to decide my mood and outlook for the day. It takes discipline, faith and prayer.
I have started asking myself questions to motivate me to dig into the Bible. These questions make me examine my life as a whole and think deeply about my priorities. I’ve written these down in church the past few weeks:
Who or what is keeping you from grasping your calling?
How are you going to change in order for God to be able to use you?
Are you willing to forfeit the ‘little g’ gods in your life to experience abundance?
Will you make yourself available for God’s glory and not your own?
Do you want to return to the fire and passion of the day you got saved?
These questions are supposed to help you examine your life. Really honestly read, ponder, and pray. If you really do want to live the life God has called you to live-pray for strength and dive head first into the ocean that is God’s grace and mercy! The narrow path is hard, and less traveled but it’s fulfilling and joyous. Others will say you’re foolish, but if you’re intentional in investing in your spiritual life, it won’t matter. God sustains you; He calls you Chosen; He in His word tells you who you are.
~Terin E. Waller
🙂
Set Apart 