Is that You, God?
Note: this entry was originally created on 9/21/07, and has just recently been extracted from my journal. After much deliberation, I've decided there's a chance others could benefit from my thoughts, and so I'm sharing them.
"Most of my temptations and testings involve a choice to engage in activities that, although basically good in themselves, might come at the expense of my Walk with God, my family, or other responsibilities...
For me, obedience issues are related not so much to temptation to yield to evil as they are to struggles to do what I should."
-Cynthia Heald
How many times do I feel God pushing me to do something, say something, go somewhere, or better yet - STOP? And rather than listen and potentially risk a small meandering out of my comfort zone, I just sit tight, right where I am. This is especially true when my present activity is nothing by-the-books "sinful." How could God possibly be upset if I'm not doing anything "wrong"?
James 4:17 states, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
So, by that definition, so long as I feel God's urging and choose to "innocently" ignore it, I'm actually sinning. Sinner, sinner, sinner.
Or, when I act on what my heart tells me is the right calling, but don't take the time to pray and ask God's advice and direction, I could also be sinning. Sinner, sinner, sinner.
There's a double challenge in this: while I need to be more of a reactor to His proddings, I also need to slow down a bit and be sure it is really His voice I'm hearing.
Here I am at the coast, overlooking some of God's most beautiful work. I long for a few quiet moments with Him. With the Lover of my Soul. I would love to steal away with Him for a bit and allow myself to be romanced by His gentle breeze, crashing waves, fresh smelling air, and sweet, sweet sunshine. I want to hear Him whisper in my ear and allow His grace, mercy, beauty, PERFECTION to wrap all around me.
later....
I am truly overwhelmed by His awesome (read: full of awe) creation. We spent hours hiking around Cape Kiwanda today and after seeing all that, all His majestic works, I can't understand how anyone can question whether or not there is a God.
There most certainly IS a God, and He is good, and all good and perfect gifts in this world come from Him. I sing the song almost every Sunday after church and yet, I'm not sure I've really taken the time to appreciate the lyrics... "Praise God from whom all blessings flow...."
"Most of my temptations and testings involve a choice to engage in activities that, although basically good in themselves, might come at the expense of my Walk with God, my family, or other responsibilities...
For me, obedience issues are related not so much to temptation to yield to evil as they are to struggles to do what I should."
-Cynthia Heald
How many times do I feel God pushing me to do something, say something, go somewhere, or better yet - STOP? And rather than listen and potentially risk a small meandering out of my comfort zone, I just sit tight, right where I am. This is especially true when my present activity is nothing by-the-books "sinful." How could God possibly be upset if I'm not doing anything "wrong"?
James 4:17 states, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
So, by that definition, so long as I feel God's urging and choose to "innocently" ignore it, I'm actually sinning. Sinner, sinner, sinner.
Or, when I act on what my heart tells me is the right calling, but don't take the time to pray and ask God's advice and direction, I could also be sinning. Sinner, sinner, sinner.
There's a double challenge in this: while I need to be more of a reactor to His proddings, I also need to slow down a bit and be sure it is really His voice I'm hearing.
Here I am at the coast, overlooking some of God's most beautiful work. I long for a few quiet moments with Him. With the Lover of my Soul. I would love to steal away with Him for a bit and allow myself to be romanced by His gentle breeze, crashing waves, fresh smelling air, and sweet, sweet sunshine. I want to hear Him whisper in my ear and allow His grace, mercy, beauty, PERFECTION to wrap all around me.
later....
I am truly overwhelmed by His awesome (read: full of awe) creation. We spent hours hiking around Cape Kiwanda today and after seeing all that, all His majestic works, I can't understand how anyone can question whether or not there is a God.
There most certainly IS a God, and He is good, and all good and perfect gifts in this world come from Him. I sing the song almost every Sunday after church and yet, I'm not sure I've really taken the time to appreciate the lyrics... "Praise God from whom all blessings flow...."
Comments
Psalm 106:3
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22
Hugs,