James 4: 7 So then, submit
yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God, and he
will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you
hypocrites! 9 Be sorrowful, cry, and weep; change your
laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! 10 Humble yourselves before
the Lord, and he will lift you up.
============
Realizing that my
life was not in a good place, I decided to try GOD as a last resort. I stopped
doing the same things “everyone” was telling me to do for “fun” and focus on
doing things differently. But it seemed hard because “everywhere” I turned,
there were invitations to do the old stuff.
- I was trying to start living for GOD, but had the same old habits.
- I was trying to do things that would please GOD, but I had the same old ideas.
- I was trying to fit in with the world and fit in with GOD and it wasn’t working.
James provides the
solution to the problem of being double-minded. He points to the path of GOD
then says “change.” The things that used to be “fun” may not be as fun after
all.
My Observations:
- GOD’s path is not as hard as I think, but it is hard when I am far from it.
- GOD is willing to come near to me when I take steps towards HIS path.
- GOD wants me to change my view of “fun” so I can enjoy life but do it HIS way.
Pleasure is not the
problem, the definition of what pleasure is can be. I mean, GOD defined a
framework for me to choose how to live. I can be free to live as I please
within HIS framework. But when I choose to go outside of what GOD defined, I
get in trouble.
GOD knows I have an
enemy that will make me challenge HIS very existence. I will then question
everything that HE stands for and make up my own labels for HIM or even ignore
HIS existence. I will then create my own definition of “fun” that does not
include HIM and put myself and others in harm’s way. GOD wants me to “change” for
HIS purpose. I am glad HE comes near to me when I come near to HIM.
Challenge
- Why is the writer so passionate about change?
- Have you ever gotten into a situation where you are resisting GOD so you can have “fun?”
- Will you assess your life so you can “change” for the good of GOD today?
No comments:
Post a Comment