Originally published Monday, 24 August 2015.
Like a teenager under the overwhelming weight of pressure - I did not choose the right road.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Gal. 5:19-20
I let my internal pursuit for feelings of acceptance compel my feet right to the place of wanting more for myself.
I wanted to get from God rather than enjoy him.
His blessings, rather than his presence.
Big confirmations, rather than his small dispensations of love.
Doors open and people to push me forward.
Only His best - for my advancement.
I wanted God "my way".
Super-sized god.
An I-will-do-it-all-for-you god.
A tailor-made god that fit my needs.
But, my teenage tantrum to feel good, ended with the repercussions that always come when we bend in to disobedience.
I slammed the door to my room and locked myself away from God, scolding myself for doing the wrong thing, in the wrong way. I didn't want to look at him; I had done so wrong - I acted badly and was deeply afraid to admit it.
Yet, Jesus is the door and he has all access to our rebellious hearts as we say we are sorry.
He walked in to comfort me with his love and the words, "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Phil 2:12-13
Praise you God!
You take us out of us, and give us you - so we know what to do.
As we work to know and fear you, you work to help and heal us.
The presence of the Spirit in us is greater than power of the flesh over us.
The truth is God that I can never work hard enough to remove my flesh; God never gave me that ability - the actual act would hurt far too much. To wrip off my flesh by myself is to live in a constant mode of chastising self-finger wagging.
Only God has the power.
He releases us on the inside so we can act right on the outside.
Then, we "do not use our freedom to indulge the flesh". Rather, we "serve one another humbly (not pridefully) in love. Gal. 5:13
Humble love says, "God your face is all I need.
Rather than, "God, pour out what I want."
Lord, as your Spirit guides,
your faithful servant will obey,
because your ways are greater than mine.
Give me a heart to endure what you did on the cross,
so my life may reflect the magnitude of your love.
Amen.
As we release our life to God, we find it. He works, and we, like needy children drawing instruction - listen. And, he leads us.
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